| abstract |
method for encapsulating biological material, three-dimensional hydrogel microsphere and composition for transplantation in an individual. it is an inside-out gelation process to generate hydrogel microcapsules (also known as microspheres). methods for encapsulating biological material in the microsphere three-dimensional hydrogel matrix are described herein. the process generally comprises forming a mixture of a hydrogel precursor compound, an optional biological material and a divalent cation. the mixture is then combined with alginate to generate an alginate shell around the droplets of the mixture, followed by gelation of the hydrogel precursor core and removal of the temporary alginate shell to yield self-sustaining microspheres. |