DNA hydrogels as a scaffold for organs-on-a-a chip: Study of buoyancy and sedimentation of microbeads in DNA gels
Résumé
Hydrogels lie at the heart of the organ-on-chip approach. Their physicochemistry and rheology largely determine the outcome of tissue engineering. DNA hydrogels are emerging as a promising medium due to their biocompatibility and physicochemical programmability. However their use as a scaffold for tissue engineering has been little studied. Here we study the buoyancy and sedimentation of microbeads suspended in DNA gels and culture medium. We identify the parameters (binding strengths and concentration of DNA strands) that should enable stable suspension and culture of cells.