CHANNELMAT: Microchannels for controlling cellular mechanotransduction

Cellular mechanotransduction is the process of transferring mechanical signals into cellular reactions. It has great impact on cellular activity by modifying their proliferation, migration, differentiation and cell adhesion. These cellular properties are also influenced by the 3D architecture of their extracellular environment. We present a highly attractive 3D interconnected micro-channeled soft biomaterial to mimic architecture and mechanical properties of the natural cellular environment and thus to control cellular mechanotransduction pathways. The fabrication process is based on hydrolyzing micrometered-sized ZnO tetrapods within a hydrogel, leading to hollow interconnected channels inside the hydrogel. The material possesses unique features such as a high micropore fraction >75 vol% as well as adoptable mechanical properties of the hydrogel. Hence, by providing large cell-material contact area and controllable mechanical properties, an excellent control on cells can be achieved.