Ferromagnetic cell and tissue culture microcarriers

Abstract

A porous, collagen coated, ferromagnetic cell culture microcarrier, which is suitable for in vitro cell and tissue culture and which facilitates 3D multicellular construct generation. Also provided is a method for creating batches of microcarriers which have inserted within them magnetite (Fe3O4) in the presence of collagen, thus creating a microcarrier which becomes magnetic in nature when placed in a the presence of a magnetic field and which facilitates cellular adherence (via the collagen coating) for 3D construct development.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A microcarrier bead for the attachment of a plurality of cells, said microcarrier bead comprising at least one magnetically charged molecule and a coating of a cellular matrix material, wherein said microcarrier bead provides for growth of a plurality of cells in a multicellular, tissue-like three-dimensional configuration on the surface of said microcarrier bead when exposed to a magnetic, paramagnetic, ferromagnetic, or diamagnetic field. 
     
     
         22 . The microcarrier bead according to  claim 21 , wherein said cellular matrix material comprises collagen. 
     
     
         23 . The microcarrier bead according to  claim 22 , wherein said collagen is Type I collagen. 
     
     
         24 . The microcarrier bead according to  claim 21 , wherein said magnetically charged molecule comprises magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ). 
     
     
         25 . The microcarrier bead according to  claim 24 , wherein said magnetite is within said microcarrier bead. 
     
     
         26 . The microcarrier bead according to  claim 21 , wherein said microcarrier bead comprises gelatin. 
     
     
         27 . The microcarrier bead according to  claim 26 , wherein said microcarrier bead ranges in size from about 100 to 400 micrometers. 
     
     
         28 . The microcarrier bead according to  claim 26 , wherein said gelatin is porous gelatin. 
     
     
         29 . The microcarrier bead according to  claim 21 , wherein said microcarrier bead comprises alginate. 
     
     
         30 . The microcarrier bead according to  claim 21 , wherein said magnetically charged molecule comprises magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) and wherein said microcarrier bead comprises gelatin. 
     
     
         31 . The microcarrier bead according to  claim 30 , wherein said microcarrier bead ranges in size from about 100 to 400 micrometers. 
     
     
         32 . The microcarrier bead according to  claim 30 , wherein said gelatin is porous gelatin. 
     
     
         33 . The microcarrier bead according to  claim 21 , wherein said ferromagnetic core comprises magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) and wherein said microcarrier bead comprises alginate. 
     
     
         34 . The microcarrier bead according to  claim 21 , wherein said microcarrier bead comprises an encapsulated drug. 
     
     
         35 . The microcarrier bead according to  claim 34 , wherein said encapsulated drug is encapsulated in a biodegradable nanosphere. 
     
     
         36 . The microcarrier bead according to  claim 21 , wherein said microcarrier bead comprises cells adhered to and growing on the surface of said microcarrier bead. 
     
     
         37 . The microcarrier bead according to  claim 36 , wherein said cells are present as a multilayered outgrowth. 
     
     
         38 . The microcarrier bead according to  claim 21 , wherein the cells are not subjected to mechanical stressors by said microcarrier bead. 
     
     
         39 . The microcarrier bead according to  claim 21 , wherein said cells can grow in a multilayer configuration.