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Controlled packing and single-droplet resolution of 3D-printed functional synthetic tissues

Author

Listed:
  • Alessandro Alcinesio

    (University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory)

  • Oliver J. Meacock

    (University of Oxford, Zoology Research & Administration Building
    University of Sheffield)

  • Rebecca G. Allan

    (University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory
    Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga)

  • Carina Monico

    (Micron Advanced Bioimaging Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford)

  • Vanessa Restrepo Schild

    (University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory)

  • Idil Cazimoglu

    (University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory)

  • Matthew T. Cornall

    (University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory)

  • Ravinash Krishna Kumar

    (University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory)

  • Hagan Bayley

    (University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory)

Abstract

3D-printing networks of droplets connected by interface bilayers are a powerful platform to build synthetic tissues in which functionality relies on precisely ordered structures. However, the structural precision and consistency in assembling these structures is currently limited, which restricts intricate designs and the complexity of functions performed by synthetic tissues. Here, we report that the equilibrium contact angle (θDIB) between a pair of droplets is a key parameter that dictates the tessellation and precise positioning of hundreds of picolitre-sized droplets within 3D-printed, multi-layer networks. When θDIB approximates the geometrically-derived critical angle (θc) of 35.3°, the resulting networks of droplets arrange in regular hexagonal close-packed (hcp) lattices with the least fraction of defects. With this improved control over droplet packing, we can 3D-print functional synthetic tissues with single-droplet-wide conductive pathways. Our new insights into 3D droplet packing permit the fabrication of complex synthetic tissues, where precisely positioned compartments perform coordinated tasks.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandro Alcinesio & Oliver J. Meacock & Rebecca G. Allan & Carina Monico & Vanessa Restrepo Schild & Idil Cazimoglu & Matthew T. Cornall & Ravinash Krishna Kumar & Hagan Bayley, 2020. "Controlled packing and single-droplet resolution of 3D-printed functional synthetic tissues," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-15953-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15953-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiangxiang Zhang & Chao Li & Fukai Liu & Wei Mu & Yongshuo Ren & Boyu Yang & Xiaojun Han, 2022. "High-throughput production of functional prototissues capable of producing NO for vasodilation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Songyang Liu & Yanwen Zhang & Xiaoxiao He & Mei Li & Jin Huang & Xiaohai Yang & Kemin Wang & Stephen Mann & Jianbo Liu, 2022. "Signal processing and generation of bioactive nitric oxide in a model prototissue," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Jin Li & William D. Jamieson & Pantelitsa Dimitriou & Wen Xu & Paul Rohde & Boris Martinac & Matthew Baker & Bruce W. Drinkwater & Oliver K. Castell & David A. Barrow, 2022. "Building programmable multicompartment artificial cells incorporating remotely activated protein channels using microfluidics and acoustic levitation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Yongcheng Jin & Ellina Mikhailova & Ming Lei & Sally A. Cowley & Tianyi Sun & Xingyun Yang & Yujia Zhang & Kaili Liu & Daniel Catarino da Silva & Luana Campos Soares & Sara Bandiera & Francis G. Szele, 2023. "Integration of 3D-printed cerebral cortical tissue into an ex vivo lesioned brain slice," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.

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