Constructung 3D cell-laden hydrogels on electromolding

Constructing microstructures with crosslinkable biomaterials, gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) contain fibroblasts (NIH-3T3) and hepatocytes (HepG2) is demonstrated by electromolding drove by electrowetting on an electromicrofluidic platform without physical molds. Hydrogel prepolymer solutions with cells/particles were dispensed and manipulated between two glass plates with desired electrode that determined the geometry of the 3D microstructures after crosslinking. The prepolymer hydrogel solution was driven and formed in the liquid state, making cells/particles addressable before solidification for 3D cell culture. Distinct solutions containing different cells/particles can be driven simultaneously for cell co-culture studies. The proposed electromolding is also applicable to various materials that are crosslinked by light, chemical reaction, or heat on a single platform.