Microgel/Microstrands

The intrinsic porosity and modular properties of microgel materials have been shown to improve mass transport diffusion, cell-to-cell interactions and cell migration/infiltration. In addition to these biological advantages, microgel-based bioinks have shear-thinning and shear-recovery properties that are suited to extrusion bioprinting. A simple, straightforward, and fully biocompatible production of 3D micro-structured hydrogels using a mechanical sizing device has been developed, together with a variety of crosslinking methods (i.e., enzymatic, light triggered or chemical) to secondarily anneal the microgels together into a larger and more porous structure. These advanced materials are currently used in cartilage and muscle engineering applications.