Fabrication of perfusable vasculatures by using micromolding and electrochemical cell transfer.

Fabrication of vascular networks for the delivery of oxygen and nutrients is a critical issue when engineering 3-dimensional tissues and organs. This study describes an approach that involves micromolding and electrochemical cell transfer and can be employed to fabricate endothelial cell-lined vascular-like structures that are precisely aligned at micrometer intervals in a photocrosslinkable gelatin hydrogel. Subsequent perfusion culture induces the migration and sprouting of endothelial cells in the hydrogel and facilitates luminal structure formation.