Polymer-Mediated, Single-Cell Encapsulation Using Glycoengineering and Click-Chemistry

Encapsulation of therapeutic cells can increase its efficacy, but current methods are non-uniform and inefficient. This inconsistency leads to varying interactions between each encapsulated cell and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Uniform single-cell encapsulation can be reliably performed by polymer coating with glycoengineering and copper-free click-chemistry. The technique can precisely adjust the stiffness of polymer coating, thereby tuning release of proteins by the encapsulated cells. For example, neural stem cells can be efficiently encapsulated and release neurotrophic factors like VEGF or CNTF. Stem cell therapies can be augmented using uniform, single-cell encapsulation. This could also be useful for reconstructing cellular networks and developing organoids.