CHAPTER 9: Tissue Engineering and Analysis in Droplet Microfluidics

Tissue engineering technology has continuously developed through improved understanding of the principles of the growth, functions and mechanisms of tissues, and the field strives to produce functional replacements of tissue for clinical use. Compared to traditional techniques, microfluidics has garnered value in this area as an automated, cost-effective, precise tool for the investigation of such engineered tissues. Among the varieties of microfluidics, droplet-based microfluidics has promised particular advantages in the field of tissue engineering, such as preserving temporal resolution, revealing nuanced single-cell properties, screening independent nano/picolitre reactions at high-throughput, etc. This chapter mainly focuses on applications of droplet-based microfluidics for tissue engineering and for bioanalysis of such tissues. These developments in materials science, microengineering and analysis should position droplet-based microfluidic technology for continued future impact on tissue engineering.