Shape-Preserved Transformation of Biological Cells into Synthetic Hydrogel Microparticles

Journal Article · 21 January 2019 · Advanced Biosystems

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adbi.201800285 · OSTI ID:1496972

Meyer, Kristin C. ^[1]; Labriola, Nicholas R. ^[2]; Darling, Eric M. ^[2]; Kaehr, Bryan  ^[1]

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1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Advanced Materials Lab.
2. Brown Univ., Providence, RI (United States). Center for Biomedical Engineering and Dept. of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biotechnology

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 in paper, 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 dissolution of the silica result in a soft hydrogel replica of the cellular template as demonstrated using erythrocytes, HeLa, and neuronal cultured cells. The elastic modulus can be tuned over an order of magnitude (≈10–100 kPa) though with a high degree of variability. Furthermore, synthesis without removing the biotemplate results in stimuli-responsive particles that swell/deswell in response to environmental cues. Overall, this work provides a foundation to develop soft particles with nearly limitless architectural complexity derived from dynamic biological templates.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22); National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525
• OSTI ID: 1496972
• Report Number(s): SAND--2019-1524J; 672501
• Journal Information: Advanced Biosystems, Journal Name: Advanced Biosystems; ISSN 2366-7478
• Publisher: WileyCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English