abstract
For several decades microparticles have been exclusively and extensively explored as spherical drug delivery vehicles and large-scale cell expansion carriers. More recently, microparticulate structures gained interest in broader bioengineering fields, integrating myriad strategies that include bottom-up tissue engineering, 3D bioprinting, and the development of tissue/disease models. The concept of bulk spherical micrometric particles as adequate supports for cell cultivation has been challenged, and systems with finely tuned geometric designs and (bio)chemical/physical features are current key players in impacting technologies. Herein, we critically review the state of the art and future trends of biomaterial microparticles in contact with cells and tissues,excluding internalization studies, and with emphasis on innovative particle design and applications.
keywords
OSTEOGENIC DIFFERENTIATION; SCAFFOLDING ELEMENTS; GROWTH-FACTORS; STEM-CELLS; MICROCARRIERS; FABRICATION; HYDROGEL; CULTURE; GENERATION; EXPANSION
subject category
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
authors
Neto, MD; Oliveira, MB; Mano, JF
our authors
João Mano
Vice Director
Mariana Braga de Oliveira
Assistant ResearcherProjects
acknowledgements
This work was supported by European Research Council grant agreement ERC-2014-ADG-669858 (project ATLAS), by the Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalizacao, in the component FEDER, and by national funds (OE) through FCT/MCTES, in the scope of the projects 'TranSphera' (PTDC/BTM-ORG/30770/2017) and 'Margel' (PTDC/BTM-MAT/31498/2017). This work was also developed within the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007679 (FCT Ref. UID/CTM/50011/2013), financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC and when appropriate cofinanced by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement.