Cell coculture within electrically patterned cells and hydrogel structures

We report a new method patterning cells and hydrogels on two different scales to form a biomimetic in vitro liver tissue by electromicrofluidic (EMF) techniques. Compared to our previous work [1-2], here we show (1) a variety of hydrogels with varied stiffness and corresponding encapsulated cell types, (2) the arrangement of multiple cell types to recapitulate hepatic lobules, and (3) manipulations of photo- and thermally-polymerizable hydrogels into heterogeneous hydrogel microstructures. In this study, EMF, capable of simultaneous control of multiple fluids and particles with appropriate electrical signals, is used to construct heterogeneous hydrogel microstructure and pattern multiple cells on various scales into an in vitro hepatic-lobule-like arrangement in one step on a single device.