Engineered 3D Vascular Networks: Enabling technology for Vital Organ Engineering

Complex liver microvasculature

Construct synthetic vascular networks with thermally reversible polymers and microfluidics

Aim 1

Aim 2

Cross-sectionHepatocytes

Engineeredvascular networks

Top

Assemble alternating vascular and hepatocyte layers towards 3D synthetic vascularized liver construct

Vascular-mimetic microfluidic channel

Mold thermally reversible polymer containing

endothelial cells cultureCross-section

End goal: formed endothelial tube

200μm

(Mary Beth Wilson, Dowd Fellowship 2010)