Fabrication of cell-encapsulated microfiber using microfluidic channel

In this research, we propose a novel method to fabricate a scaffold for tissue engineering which can overcome the limitations of traditional approaches. The alginate solution was gelled to form a cell-encapsulated alginate microfiber by the diffusion of gelation ion from the cross-linker solution and ejected from the outlet of microfluidic channel to the reservoir. The diameter of the fabricated microfiber can be controlled by the flow rate ratio of the two solutions. Moreover, this method, which has no cell seeding step, eliminates the possibility of loss of cells and the problems related with distribution of cells. We also show the feasibility of the alginate microfiber as a scaffold for cartilage.