Microgel assembly: Fabrication, characteristics and application in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Microgel assembly, a macroscopic aggregate formed by bottom-up assembly of micmgels, is now emerging as prospective biomaterials for applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM). This minireview first summarizes the fabrication strategies available for microgel assembly, including chemical reaction, physical reaction, cell-cell interaction and external driving force, then highlights its unique characteristics, such as microporosity, injectability and heterogeneity, and finally itemizes its applications in the fields of cell culture, tissue regeneration and biofabrication, especially 3D printing. The problems to be addressed for further applications of microgel assembly are also discussed.

Automated summary

This mini-review summarizes the fabrication strategies, unique characteristics, and applications of microgel assembly in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, with a focus on 3D printing. The challenges for further applications of microgel assembly are also discussed.