Issue 6, 2007

Fabrication of microfluidic hydrogels using molded gelatin as a sacrificial element

Abstract

This paper describes a general procedure for the formation of hydrogels that contain microfluidic networks. In this procedure, micromolded meshes of gelatin served as sacrificial materials. Encapsulation of gelatin meshes in a hydrogel and subsequent melting and flushing of the gelatin left behind interconnected channels in the hydrogel. The channels were as narrow as ∼6 µm, and faithfully replicated the features in the original gelatin mesh. Fifty micrometre wide microfluidic networks in collagen and fibrin readily enabled delivery of macromolecules and particles into the channels and transport of macromolecules from channels into the bulk of the gels. Microfluidic gels were also suitable as scaffolds for cell culture, and could be seeded by human microvascular endothelial cells to form rudimentary endothelial networks for potential use in tissue engineering.

Graphical abstract: Fabrication of microfluidic hydrogels using molded gelatin as a sacrificial element

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
18 Dec 2006
Accepted
01 Mar 2007
First published
21 Mar 2007

Lab Chip, 2007,7, 720-725

Fabrication of microfluidic hydrogels using molded gelatin as a sacrificial element

A. P. Golden and J. Tien, Lab Chip, 2007, 7, 720 DOI: 10.1039/B618409J

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