Stable Encapsulation of Single Cells in Photocurable Droplets:

Toward Massively Parallel 3D Cell Assembly

Abstract

The objective of this study is to develop a 3D single cell printer based on micro-droplets containing a single cell. Previously cells precipitated in the solution during the encapsulation of cells in photocurable liquid droplets. Here, to prevent the precipitation, we increased the buoyancy of cells by increasing the density of a photocurable gel. The cellular motions are determined by the difference of gravity and buoyancy of a solution. Human cells, HeLa cells, were injected into a solution and droplets were generated. Time-series of cell number in droplets was measured.