Abstract
We have studied the preparation of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer microcapsules as a carrier for living cells by two microfluidic methods as follows: (i) By photoinduced radical polymerization of MPC, the microcapsules with ca. 85 μm in the diameter were obtained, however, they had low mechanical strength to maintain their shape. (ii) By cross-linking of poly(MPC-co-n-butyl methacrylate-co-4-vinylphenyl boronic acid) (PMBV) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), oval-shaped capsules were obtained. Even the capsules were not spherical, the size of the capsules were uniformed. Resultant capsules had mechanical strength enough for maintaining their shape. Sedimentation of the capsules, leading to collapse and coalescence, was prevented by using silicone oil as collection medium. The capsules prepared by the cross-linking method would be suitable candidate for microsized cell carriers and cell culture vessels because the MPC polymers possess highly cytocompatibility.
