POS8-1236
Surface Acoustic Wave Platform for Rapid and Contactless Cell Patterning in Hydrogel
Topic
S8. Frontiers of Functional Polymers in Biology and Medicine
When and Where
Sep 30, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
Room 301 (Grand Ballroom)
Session Chairs
Heesuk KIM
Jinhye BAE
Presenter(s)
Myeonghun Jang (Yonsei University)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Hydrogel based 3D culture provides a physiologically relevant environment for cells. However, conventional methods for generating patterned tissues are often time consuming, require molds or microwells, and offer limited control over microtissue positioning within bulk hydrogels. In this study, we developed a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) assisted platform for the rapid and contactless patterning of suspended cells within a hydrogel precursor.
Cells were mixed with the hydrogel precursor and loaded onto a SAW device. Controlled acoustic fields directed the suspended cells toward defined locations, enabling the formation of organized cellular patterns. The generated patterns were subsequently stabilized by photocrosslinking. SAW actuation enabled the rapid formation of multiple cell aggregates and spatially organized cellular regions directly within the hydrogel. The resulting patterns could be modulated by adjusting the operating conditions.
This compatible platform enables the direct fabrication of hydrogel embedded 3D microtissues without requiring physical molds or microwells. Therefore, the proposed approach may provide a useful strategy for tissue engineering applications and higher-throughput 3D cell based screening.
Cells were mixed with the hydrogel precursor and loaded onto a SAW device. Controlled acoustic fields directed the suspended cells toward defined locations, enabling the formation of organized cellular patterns. The generated patterns were subsequently stabilized by photocrosslinking. SAW actuation enabled the rapid formation of multiple cell aggregates and spatially organized cellular regions directly within the hydrogel. The resulting patterns could be modulated by adjusting the operating conditions.
This compatible platform enables the direct fabrication of hydrogel embedded 3D microtissues without requiring physical molds or microwells. Therefore, the proposed approach may provide a useful strategy for tissue engineering applications and higher-throughput 3D cell based screening.
