Electromolding for 3D cell culture

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