A Review of Viable Cell and Macrophage Encapsulation Methods

Cell encapsulation is emerging as a method for many biomedical and technological applications. Previous studies have elaborated on the versatility of encapsulation, from tissue repair to an insulin therapy alternative for type-1 diabetes. The main issue lies in regulating the size and materials and ensuring the viability of the microcapsule inside the body. The minuscule size allows for easy flow and transportation to and inside the body, however, as a foreign object, the capsule is easily a target of the immune system, the triggering of which could harm immunocompromised people. Encapsulation must meet these high standards to be recognized as a reliable alternative to many cell therapies. This project focuses on testing various methods and materials used for cell and macrophage encapsulation and determining the conditions that produce viable results. We will look at traits such as the size of the capsules, the materials used, and the consistency and accuracy of the method. We will also describe the strengths and limitations of each method in the context of mass production, examining biocompatibility, drug compatibility, and uniformity. Finally, we will isolate the specific traits that prove to have the greatest potential and highlight their further uses and possible experimentation.