abstract |
An artificial bone marrow construct comprising a substrate having at least one well; a three dimensional biocompatible polymer matrix comprising a transparent polymer network containing microspherical voids, wherein the microspherical voids are each connected to at least one other void through inter-connecting pores; at least one LBL coating on a surface of at least one of the polymer network, voids and pores, a population of bone marrow cells comprising stem cells and stromal cells; and at least one bioactive agent. An artificial immune network comprising a polymer matrix with a population of immune cells comprising B-cells and T-cells is disclosed. Methods for testing the toxicity of drugs and other agents against bone marrow cells and methods for making universal blood using the artificial bone marrow constructs are also disclosed. |