Single-Cell Microgels: Technology, Challenges, and Applications

Tom Kamperman; Marcel Karperien; Séverine Le Gac; Jeroen Leijten

doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2018.03.001

Single-Cell Microgels: Technology, Challenges, and Applications

Trends Biotechnol. 2018 Aug;36(8):850-865. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2018.03.001. Epub 2018 Apr 12.

Authors

Tom Kamperman¹, Marcel Karperien², Séverine Le Gac³, Jeroen Leijten⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Developmental BioEngineering, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522NB Enschede, The Netherlands. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/DBE_MIRA.
² Department of Developmental BioEngineering, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522NB Enschede, The Netherlands. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/UTwente.
³ Applied Microfluidics for BioEngineering Research, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522NB Enschede, The Netherlands. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/utwenteEN.
⁴ Department of Developmental BioEngineering, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522NB Enschede, The Netherlands. Electronic address: j.c.h.leijten@utwente.nl.

PMID: 29656795
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2018.03.001

Abstract

Single-cell-laden microgels effectively act as the engineered counterpart of the smallest living building block of life: a cell within its pericellular matrix. Recent breakthroughs have enabled the encapsulation of single cells in sub-100-μm microgels to provide physiologically relevant microniches with minimal mass transport limitations and favorable pharmacokinetic properties. Single-cell-laden microgels offer additional unprecedented advantages, including facile manipulation, culture, and analysis of individual cell within 3D microenvironments. Therefore, single-cell microgel technology is expected to be instrumental in many life science applications, including pharmacological screenings, regenerative medicine, and fundamental biological research. In this review, we discuss the latest trends, technical challenges, and breakthroughs, and present our vision of the future of single-cell microgel technology and its applications.

Keywords: 3D culture; hydrogels; microenvironments; microfabrication; microfluidics; regenerative medicine; single cell analysis.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Biotechnology / methods*
Cells, Immobilized / physiology*
Cytological Techniques / methods*
Hydrogels*

Substances

Hydrogels