Carbon nanotube (CNT) and gelatin (Gela) molecules are effective substrates in promoting engineered cardiac tissue functions. This study developed a microfluidic‐based encapsulation process for biomimetic hydrogel microcapsule fabrication. The hydrogel microcapsule was produced through a coaxial double orifice microfluidic technique and a water‐in‐oil emulsion system in two sequential processes. The phenol (Ph) substituted Gela (Gela‐Ph) and CNT (CNT‐Ph), respectively as cell‐adhesive and electrically conductive substrates were incorporated in hyaluronic acid (HA)‐based hydrogel through laccase‐mediated crosslinking. The Cardiomyocyte‐enclosing microcapsule fabricated and cellular survival, function, and possible difference in the biological activity of encapsulated cells within micro vehicles were investigated. The coaxial microfluidic method and Lac‐mediated crosslinking reaction resulted in spherical vehicle production in 183 μm diameter at 500 capsules/min speed. The encapsulation process did not affect cellular viability and harvested cells from microcapsule proliferated well likewise subcultured cells in tissue culture plate. The biophysical properties of the designed hydrogel, including mechanical strength, swelling, biodegradability and electroconductivity upregulated significantly for hydrogels decorated covalently with Gela‐Ph and CNT‐Ph. The tendency of the microcapsule for the spheroid formation of cardiomyocytes inside the proposed microcapsule occurred 3 days after encapsulation. Interestingly, immobilized Gela‐Ph and CNT‐Ph promote cellular growth and specific cardiac markers. Overall, the microfluidic‐based encapsulation technology and synthesized biomimetic substrates with electroconductive properties demonstrate desirable cellular adhesion, proliferation, and cardiac functions for engineering cardiac tissue.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.