Growing cellular tissue may be done in 2 dimensional space (or a 3-D space that involves only a very short 3rd dimension, just short of a millimeter), but more complex items require the use of all three dimensions. Joseph Hoffman (PhD candidate) and Dr. Jennifer West [Rice, Bioengineering chairperson] described improvements enabling the use of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel, which is engineered to mimic the human’s extracellular matrix. (The extracellular matrix provides support to the body, comprised of proteins and polysaccharides, forming the basis for connective tissue.) Their development of a “two-photon lithography” process was described in the November issue of SoftScience. This afforded them the ability to exert control and create intricate 3D patternsi a heterogeneous environment, to insure cells grow and move where the scientist desires. Their process afforded them the ability to define patterns within the hydrogel that ranged in size from 1 µm to nearly 1 mm.
Continue reading From hydrogel to blood vessel to… transplant preservation →