| abstract |
The present invention relates to a process for producing a droplet assembly, which droplet assembly comprises a plurality of droplets, wherein each of said droplets comprises: an aqueous medium comprising a hydrogel compound; and one or more biological cells disposed in the aqueous medium, which process comprises: generating, in a bulk hydrophobic medium, a plurality of droplets, wherein each of said droplets comprises: an aqueous medium comprising a hydrogel compound; and one or more biological cells disposed in the aqueous medium. The invention also relates to a droplet assembly comprising a plurality of droplets, wherein each of said droplets comprises: (i) an aqueous medium comprising a hydrogel compound; (ii) one or more biological cells disposed in the aqueous medium; and (iii) an outer layer of amphipathic molecules around the surface of the aqueous medium, wherein at least one droplet in the droplet assembly contacts at least one other droplet in the droplet assembly forming a layer of amphipathic molecules as an interface between contacting droplets. |