Controlled packing and single-droplet resolution of 3D-printed functional synthetic tissues

Alessandro Alcinesio, Oliver J. Meacock, Rebecca G. Allan, Carina Monico, Vanessa Restrepo Schild, Idil Cazimoglu, Matthew T. Cornall, Ravinash Krishna Kumar () and Hagan Bayley ()
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Alessandro Alcinesio: University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory
Oliver J. Meacock: University of Oxford, Zoology Research & Administration Building
Rebecca G. Allan: University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory
Carina Monico: Micron Advanced Bioimaging Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford
Vanessa Restrepo Schild: University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory
Idil Cazimoglu: University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory
Matthew T. Cornall: University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory
Ravinash Krishna Kumar: University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory
Hagan Bayley: University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract 3D-printing networks of droplets connected by interface bilayers are a powerful platform to build synthetic tissues in which functionality relies on precisely ordered structures. However, the structural precision and consistency in assembling these structures is currently limited, which restricts intricate designs and the complexity of functions performed by synthetic tissues. Here, we report that the equilibrium contact angle (θDIB) between a pair of droplets is a key parameter that dictates the tessellation and precise positioning of hundreds of picolitre-sized droplets within 3D-printed, multi-layer networks. When θDIB approximates the geometrically-derived critical angle (θc) of 35.3°, the resulting networks of droplets arrange in regular hexagonal close-packed (hcp) lattices with the least fraction of defects. With this improved control over droplet packing, we can 3D-print functional synthetic tissues with single-droplet-wide conductive pathways. Our new insights into 3D droplet packing permit the fabrication of complex synthetic tissues, where precisely positioned compartments perform coordinated tasks.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15953-y

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