• Home
• SERVICES
• One-Stop Microfluidic Solutions
• Droplet Generator and Flow Chemistry
• Particle Synthesis
• Hydrogel Particle Synthesis

Creative Biolabs is a world-leading services provider in the field of microfluidic chip development. We provide a dedicated microfluidic-based service for all your synthesis of hydrogel particles needs. Our scientifically sound services including tight controls can give clients a high level of confidence in the results.

Introduction of Hydrogel Particles

Hydrogels are a cross-linked or three-dimensional network of hydrophilic polymer chains and are sometimes found as a colloidal gel in which water is the dispersion medium. They contain a high-volume fraction of water, display tissue-like elastic properties, and are biocompatible. They also provide a protective environment for drugs and proteins from particularly harsh environments in the area surrounding the release. As a result, hydrogels are the most attractive biomaterials for the encapsulation of drugs or cells and tissue engineering.

Microfluidics Development for Synthesis of Hydrogel Particles

Microfluidic technologies are emerging as an enabling tool for the generation of shape-controlled hydrogels (i.e., microfibers, microparticles, and hydrogel building blocks) for many biological applications. For example, spherical or non-spherical magnetic hydrogel microparticles have been synthesized in a microfluidic device. Magnetic nanoparticles with superparamagnetic properties are homogeneously encapsulated inside hydrogels in a microfluidic device containing an aluminum reflector, providing both multi-directional UV exposure and higher UV energy flux to create non-deformed spherical hydrogels. This system has several advantages over previous synthesis techniques, such as continuous production of particles and high particle monodispersity.

Fig. 1 Hydrogel particle generation by microfluidic device. (Chen, et al., 2022)

Microfluidic-Based Synthesis of Hydrogel Particles for Cell Microencapsulation

A recent advance in microfluidics and microlithography provides an effective route to control the generation of hydrogel particles. A variety of cell-containing hydrogel particles, including agarose, alginate, gelatin, and PEG particles, has been produced based on this strategy. For example, embryonic stem cells have been encapsulated in monodisperse agarose hydrogel microbeads, synthesized by gelling cell-containing droplets in a continuous oil phase microfluidics. This approach offers a convenient method to synthesize hydrogel particles with a varied mechanical property, which can be used to study the cellular responses of encapsulated cells to the mechanical property of their microenvironment.

Fig.2 Microfluidic encapsulation of cells in hydrogel particles. (Wan, 2012)

Strategies of Microfluidic-based Synthesis

• Synthesis of hydrogel particles using microdroplets as templates
• Synthesis of hydrogel particles using the stop-flow lithography

Advantages of Microfluidic-based Synthesis

• Controllable size/size distribution, the structure, the morphology of micro-particles and micro-fibers
• Automation to reduce the labor-intensive process
• Less sample/reagent consumption and contamination
• Low power consumption and low cost

Our Microfluidic Services

Creative Biolabs has been a long-term expert in the field of microfluidic chip development. Based on our advanced technology platforms and extensive experience, we have won a good reputation for accomplishing numerous challenging projects. Our seasoned scientists currently provide microfluidic chip development to synthesize hydrogel particles (such as temperature-sensitive engineered hydrogel and photocrosslinkable engineered hydrogel) with the highest efficiency the best quality. Please feel free to contact us to let us know how we can help with your projects.

References

1. Chen, Aluunmani, et al. " Facile Microfluidic Fabrication of Biocompatible Hydrogel Microspheres in a Novel Microfluidic Device " Molecules 27.13 (2022): 4013.
2. Wan. " Microfluidic-based synthesis of hydrogel particles for cell microencapsulation and cell-based drug delivery " Polymers 4.2 (2012): 1084-1108.

For Research Use Only. Not For Clinical Use.