Three dimensionally layered spheroid array for tissue organization

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For formation of tissue elements, spheroid is successfully constructed with a diameter of 100 or 200 ・m on a micropatterned substrate coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). The PEGylated surface as a cytophobic region was regulated by controlling the polymer density through photolithography. This spheroid formation induces epitaxially growing chondrocyte spheroids perpendicular to the surface with long-term viability. Such interesting observation was resulted from the spontaneous production of extracellular matrix (ECM) protein and concomitant formation of native cartilage-like tissue. This approach aims to overcome the disadvantages associated with the hanging drop and suspension culture methods by providing control over the size, shape, and other features of the cellular assembly in a scalable manner. It is envisioned that with the integration of presented technologies with biomaterials such as photocrosslinkable gels and microfluidics, more complex tissue sections for therapeutic applications can be fabricated.