Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
15963 Current Opinion in Biotechnology 2011 7 Pages PDF
Abstract

Recapitulating the elegant structures formed during development is an extreme synthetic and biological challenge. Great progress has been made in developing materials to support transplanted cells, yet the complexity of tissues is far beyond that found in even the most advanced scaffolds. Self-assembly is a motif used in development and a route for the production of complex materials. Self-assembly of peptides, proteins and other molecules at the nanoscale is promising, but in addition, intriguing ideas are emerging for self-assembly of micron-scale structures. In this brief review, very recent advances in the assembly of micron-scale cell aggregates and microgels will be described and discussed.

► Self-assembly is a motif used in development and a route for the production of complex materials. ► Intriguing ideas are emerging for self-assembly of micron-scale structures. ► Very recent advances in the assembly of micron-scale cell aggregates and microgels will be described and discussed.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Chemical Engineering Bioengineering
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