Abstract
This paper describes a protocol to encapsulate cells in sub-millimeter-sized cylindrical collagen modules and to assemble these modules into a tissue-engineered construct within a continuous loop flow circuit. Modules are fabricated by gelling a solution of collagen, that contains suspended cells, within the lumen of a small-bore polyethylene tube. The tubing is then cut into short lengths using an automated cutter and gently vortexed to remove the cell-containing collagen modules from the tubing lumen. Modules are then randomly assembled into a modular construct by pipetting a suspension of modules into a larger tube that is positioned within a continuous flow circuit. A range of cylinder aspect ratios are achievable; therefore, this method could potentially be used to create short discs or, alternatively, long threads of soft gels, with or without encapsulated cells, for a variety of tissue-engineering applications. Module fabrication requires 1 d and assembly of a modular construct requires 2 h.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2963-2969 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Nature Protocols |
| Volume | 1 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2007 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We would like to acknowledge Z. Fang, of FCS Technologies Inc., and T. Fixler for technical assistance; and the National Institute of Health (EB001013, co-investigators E. Yeo and A. Gotlieb) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council for funding. A.P.M. and B.L. acknowledge the fellowship support of the Province of Ontario and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Training Program in Regenerative Medicine.
ASJC Scopus Subject Areas
- General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology