(579e) Three-Dimensional Assembly of Biomedical Micro/Nanodevices Containing Cells/Biomolecules Using Carbon Dioxide

Using low-pressure carbon dioxide (CO₂), we demonstrated a novel and universal approach to assembling polymeric micro/nanostructures in an aqueous environment in the presence of cells and biomolecules. By regulating CO₂ pressure, the assembly can be completed at biologically permissive temperatures. The original structures are well preserved and the CO₂ pressure has little effects on the bioactivity/viability and functionalities of the proteins, DNAs, and cells studied. This method highlights the ability to integrate multiple cell-scaffold constructs into a tissue complex by first allowing the individual cell types to grow on biodegradable polymeric scaffolds and then assembling the desired multiple cell-scaffolds into a 3-D construct. This novel method has the potential to develop fully functional tissue substitutes and provides for a manufacturing platform that thus far has been lacking in the field of tissue engineering. This CO₂-assisted bio-assembly method offers an affordable and biologically permissive process, particularly for the simultaneous assembly of a large number of micro/nanostructures containing temperature- and/or solvent-sensitive biomolecules and cells. It opens a new avenue for tissue engineering, cell therapy, drug delivery and cell-based biochips.