Shape-Preserved Transformation of Biological Cells into Synthetic Hydrogel Microparticles.

ABSTRACT: The synthesis of materials that can mimic the mechanical, and ultimately functional, properties of biological cells can broadly impact the development of biomimetic materials, as well as engineered tissues and therapeutics. Yet, it is challenging to synthesize, for example, microparticles that share both the anisotropic shapes and the elastic properties of living cells. Here, a cell-directed route to replicate cellular structures into synthetic hydrogels such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) is described. First, the internal and external surfaces of chemically fixed cells are replicated in a conformal layer of silica using a sol-gel process. The template is subsequently removed to render shape-preserved, mesoporous silica replicas. Infiltration and cross-linking of PEG precursors and dissoluti

SUBMITTER: Meyer KC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7747388 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature