Preparation of cell-enclosing microcapsules through photopolymerization of methacrylated alginate solution triggered by irradiation with visible light.

A photopolymerizable, methacrylated alginate was synthesized by conjugating methacryloyl groups to the side chains of alginate. Cell-enclosing microcapsules were subsequently prepared by the photopolymerization of cell-suspending methacrylated alginate droplets triggered by irradiation with visible light. Cells enclosed by this method remained alive in the microcapsules for at least 2 weeks. (c) 2009 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.