Microgel assembly: Fabrication, characteristics and application in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Qi Feng; Dingguo Li; Qingtao Li; Xiaodong Cao; Hua Dong

Bioactive Materials (Mar 2022)

Microgel assembly: Fabrication, characteristics and application in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Qi Feng,
Dingguo Li,
Qingtao Li,
Xiaodong Cao,
Hua Dong

Affiliations

Qi Feng: Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China; National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction (NERC-TRR), Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
Dingguo Li: Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China; National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction (NERC-TRR), Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
Qingtao Li: National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction (NERC-TRR), Guangzhou, China; School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
Xiaodong Cao: Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China; National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction (NERC-TRR), Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China; Corresponding author. Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.
Hua Dong: Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China; National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction (NERC-TRR), Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China; Corresponding author. National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction (NERC-TRR), Guangzhou, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9
pp. 105 – 119

Abstract

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Microgel assembly, a macroscopic aggregate formed by bottom-up assembly of microgels, is now emerging as prospective biomaterials for applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM). This mini-review first summarizes the fabrication strategies available for microgel assembly, including chemical reaction, physical reaction, cell-cell interaction and external driving force, then highlights its unique characteristics, such as microporosity, injectability and heterogeneity, and finally itemizes its applications in the fields of cell culture, tissue regeneration and biofabrication, especially 3D printing. The problems to be addressed for further applications of microgel assembly are also discussed.

Published in Bioactive Materials

ISSN: 2452-199X (Online)
Publisher: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials; Science: Biology (General)
Website: https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/bioactive-materials/

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