CICECO News » Innovative microneedles enhance cell delivery in regenerative therapies

A research team from CICECO and the Chemistry Department of University of Aveiro has developed innovative microscopic microneedles that can function as platforms for cell transport and delivery in regenerative therapies. The study opens new perspectives for injectable systems capable of improving both the efficiency of cell delivery and their retention at injury sites.

In cell-based therapies, delivery platforms play a critical role in ensuring that therapeutic cells reach the target site and remain there long enough to exert their function. The design of these systems is a determining factor: size, geometry, and surface properties directly influence cellular behaviours such as adhesion and proliferation.

In this work made by the Compass Research Team, the researchers report a bottom-up synthesis and spontaneous formation of microneedles based on polyoxometalate hybrids. These microscopic structures exhibit a near one-dimensional, needle-like geometry, resulting in a high surface-to-volume ratio—approximately twice that of a spherical delivery system with the same volume—thereby enhancing cell adhesion.

The elongated shape of the microneedles provides an additional advantage by facilitating cell retention at the administration site, a key factor for increasing the effectiveness of cell-based therapies.

The study is authored by Marta Maciel, José Silvares, Tiago Correia, Carlos Mendonça, Ana Martins, Eduardo Silva, Nuno Silva, Filipa Sousa, and João Mano, researchers at CICECO, a leading research unit within the University of Aveiro.

Advancing strategies for cell-based therapies

Experimental results demonstrated high cytocompatibility, around 95%, with spontaneous cell adhesion even in the presence of competing adhesive surfaces.

A further innovative feature of these microneedles is the possibility of magnetic surface functionalization. This enables external control over their movement and orientation, as well as three-dimensional tracking and positioning within bioengineered tissues. Such capabilities may enable more precise and controlled therapeutic strategies.

This work highlights the potential of these microscopic platforms as advanced tools for applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, where efficient and targeted cell delivery remains a major challenge.

Read the full article here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/sstr.202500370