Cell encapsules with tunable transport and mechanical properties.

We utilized a microfluidic device with hydrodynamic flow focusing geometry to produce uniform agarose droplets in the range of 50 to 110 mum. The transport property of the thermally gelled particles was tailored by layer-by-layer (LBL) polyelectrolytes coating on the surface and was measured via the release rates of Rhodamine B. The mechanical strength of the capsules was further enhanced by a coating of silica nano-particles in addition to polyelectrolyte coatings. We demonstrated that yeast cells can be successfully encapsulated into agarose capsules.