Novel method of Durotaxis using inkjet texhnology

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K12661
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 90120:Biomaterials-related
• Research Institution: Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Mikiko Tsudome 国立研究開発法人海洋研究開発機構, 海洋機能利用部門(生命理工学センター), 准研究員 (60399574)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: inkjet patterning / geltin / protease

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A new method for designing scaffolds with surface stiffness gradients was developed using inkjet-patterning technology.
Due to the lack of temperature sensitivity, glutaraldehyde cross-linked gelatin hydrogels were found to be more suitable as Durotaxis scaffolds than a physically cross-linked gelatin hydrogel. When enzyme solution was deposited on the surface of the glutaraldehyde cross-linked gelatin hydrogel using an inkjet patterning device, pits were formed due to enzymatic hydrolysis of gelatin. This result shows that the glutaraldehyde cross-linked gelatin hydrogel is a suitable Durotaxis scaffold material. In order to be apply other biodegradable scaffolds to our research, we have also developed a poly(L-lactic acid) hydrogel with nanofibrous structure. Attempts are underway to measure the stiffness gradient on the patterned scaffold using atomic force microscopy.

Free Research Field

ソフトマテリアル

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

インクジェット技術を用いてDutotaxis足場材料設計を行う本研究の掲げる手法は、フォトマスクを使用した既存の方法と比べ、インクジェットパターニングの特徴である自在な設計を可能とする。これによりプロトタイプの弾性勾配足場材料を用いた網羅的かつ高精度な解析が可能となる。再生医工学においてDurotaxis走性の解明は、細胞を足場材料の硬さで制御するための重要な知見となる。本手法は、弾性改変を生分解で行うために細胞毒性による阻害の心配もなく、また細胞種の培養条件に応じた足場材料を選択でき、解析結果の利便性も高いため、様々な細胞種および足場基材の相互作用を解析できるツールになりうると期待される。