Control of cellular organization around collagen beads using dielectrophoresis

Tissues formed by cells seeded in hydrogels are used for biotechnology, cell-based assays, and tissue engineering. We have previously presented a cell-micropatterning technique that localizes live cells within hydrogels using dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces, and have demonstrated the ability to modulate tissue function through the control of microscale cell architecture. In this study, we developed a novel cell patterning technology for accumulating cells around collagen micro-beads. As a case study, we produce collagen-alginate beads for scaffold and accumulate chondrocytes around the micro-beads by combining DEP force and flow of the buffer solution. This approach enables an expanded range of studies examining the influence of 3D cellular architecture on micro-scale levels.