THREE-DIMENSIONAL MICROFABRICATED BIOREACTORS WITH EMBEDDED CAPILLARY NETWORK

摘要

In an aspect, the present invention uses projection micro stereolithography to generate three-dimensional microvessel networks that are capable of supporting and fostering growth of a cell population. For example, provided is a method of making a microvascularized bioreactor via layer-by-layer polymerization of a photocurable liquid composition with repeated patterns of illumination, wherein each layer corresponds to a layer of the desired microvessel network. The plurality of layers are assembled to make a microvascular network. Support structures having different etch rates than the structures that make up the network provides access to manufacturing arbitrary geometries that cannot be made by conventional methods. A cell population is introduced to the external wall of the network to obtain a microvascularized bioreactor. Provided are various methods and related bioreactors, wherein the network wall has a permeability to a biological material that varies within and along the network.