Patterned Differentiation of Individual Embryoid Bodies in Spatially Organized 3D Hybrid Microgels

A microengineered hybrid hydrogel array is developed containing asymmetrical extracellular matrices [polyethylene-glycol (PEG) and gelatin methacrylate (GelMA)] to mimic the anisotropic stem cell niche and induce the patterned differentiation of embryoid bodies (EBs). The asymmetrical matrices around individual aggregate of mouse EBs induce polarity and demonstrate the potential of microscale engineered materials for forming tissues.