Hydrogel Skin-Covered Neurons Self-Assembled with Gustatory Cells for Selective Taste Stimulation.

Many technical challenges exist in the co-culture of multiple types of cells, including medium optimization, cell-to-cell connection, and selective data acquisition of cellular responses. Particularly, mixed cellular responses limit the precise interpretation of intercellular signal transduction. Here, we report the formation of an agarose gel skin on neurons closely assembled with gustatory cells to selectively stimulate gustatory cells by retarding the diffusion of tastants to neurons.