Pre‐Programmed Rod‐Shaped Microgels to Create Multi‐Directional Anisogels for 3D Tissue Engineering

Advanced Functional Materials, vol. 32

Abstract

Abstract Micron‐scale anisometric microgels have received increasing attention to replace macromolecule solutions to create injectable 3D regenerative hydrogels. Interlinking these rod‐shaped microgels results in microporous constructs, while incorporating magnetic nanoparticles inside the microgels enables their alignment to introduce directionality. This report demonstrates that the angle of microgel alignment in a static external magnetic field can be pre‐programmed, broadening their applicability to artificially assemble into specific architectures. The magnetic rod‐shaped polyethylene glycol microgels are prepared via in mold polymerization. Ellipsoidal maghemite nanoparticles, integrated as responsive fillers are pre‐aligned either parallel or orthogonal to the long axis of the microgel with a weak magnetic field during rod fabrication to implement additional control over their magnetic orientation and allow their precise manipulation and actuation. The magnetic response of the microgels to static and rotating magnetic fields is discussed depending on various process and design parameters, such as magnetic field strength, angular frequency, and pre‐alignment. Finally, the applicability of the approach for tissue engineering is highlighted by growing mouse fibroblasts in three dimensions within Anisogels, i. e., hydrogels containing a mixture of rods with both a parallel and orthogonal orientation, marking a new step toward more advanced functional cell templating for tissue engineering.

Authors 9

1. Dominik L. Braunmiller Aachen Institute of Physical Chemistry

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Physical Chemistry RWTH Aachen University 52074 Aachen Germany

   Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

2. Susan Babu Aachen Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry

   DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   DWI – Leibniz‐Institute for Interactive Materials 52074 Aachen Germany

   Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry RWTH Aachen University 52074 Aachen Germany

   Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

3. David B. Gehlen Aachen

   DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials

   Affiliation as printed

   DWI – Leibniz‐Institute for Interactive Materials 52074 Aachen Germany

4. Maximilian Seuß Aachen

   DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials

   Affiliation as printed

   DWI – Leibniz‐Institute for Interactive Materials 52074 Aachen Germany

5. Tamás Haraszti Aachen Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry

   DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   DWI – Leibniz‐Institute for Interactive Materials 52074 Aachen Germany

   Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry RWTH Aachen University 52074 Aachen Germany

   Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

6. Andreas Falkenstein Aachen Institute of Physical Chemistry

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Physical Chemistry RWTH Aachen University 52074 Aachen Germany

   Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

7. Julian Eigen Aachen Institute of Physical Chemistry

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Physical Chemistry RWTH Aachen University 52074 Aachen Germany

   Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

8. Laura De Laporte corresponding Aachen Advanced Materials for Biomedicine Institute for Applied Medical Engineering Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry Advanced Materials for Biomedicine (AMB) Institute for Applied Medical Engineering

   DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials · Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Advanced Materials for Biomedicine Institute for Applied Medical Engineering University Hospital RWTH Aachen 52074 Aachen Germany

   DWI – Leibniz‐Institute for Interactive Materials 52074 Aachen Germany

   Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry RWTH Aachen University 52074 Aachen Germany

   Advanced Materials for Biomedicine, Institute for Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

9. Jérôme J. Crassous corresponding Aachen Institute of Physical Chemistry

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Physical Chemistry RWTH Aachen University 52074 Aachen Germany

   Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany