Replicating biological 3D root and hyphal networks in transparent glass chips.

ABSTRACT: Replicating the complex 3D microvascular architectures found in biological systems is a critical challenge in tissue engineering and other fields requiring efficient mass transport. Conventional microfabrication techniques often face limitations in creating extensive hierarchical networks, especially within bulk materials. Here, we report a versatile bioinspired approach to generate optimized 3D microvascular networks within transparent glass matrix by transcribing the natural growth patterns of plants and fungi. Plant seeds or fungal spores are first cultivated on nanoparticle-based culture media. Subsequent heat treatment removes the biological species while sintering the surrounding compound into a solidified chip with replica root/hyphal architectures as open microchannels. A diverse r

SUBMITTER: Koga T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11387748 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature