Agitation-Driven Fusion Fabrication of Macroscopic Cell-Laden Cryogels
Fabricating macroscopic tissue scaffolds that replicate native architecture, mechanics, and cellular density remains challenging. Here, we present a scalable, modular approach that combines agitation-driven assembly with fibrin-mediated fusion to produce centimeter-scale, cell-laden scaffolds with uniformly distributed, high-density cells and improved mechanical performance. The constructs are freestanding and mechanically more robust than monolithic hydrogels, while confocal imaging confirms deep, homogeneous cell penetration and high viability throughout centimeter-scale volumes. By overcoming tradeoffs among scaffold size, cell density, and mechanical integrity, this strategy provides a facile, versatile biofabrication platform for tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and disease modeling.
Authors
- Guangyu Bao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5794-9020)
- Xuan Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3999-8923)
- Weiyi Wan
- Aram Bahmani
- Jianyu Li
- Evan Johnston
Institutions
- McGill University (CA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- ACS Applied Bio Materials
- Published
- 2026-02-18
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.5c02235
- Primary Topic
- 3D Printing in Biomedical Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00