Brandon Mattix, Laura Reese, Frank Alexis
Cellular aggregates, or spheroids, have been used in tissue engineering as building blocks to assemble complex tissues in the lab. We have utilized magnetic nanoparticles and magnetic forces to pattern and assemble spheroids into controlled shapes and patterns.

Using a magnetic pattern, thousands of 3D aggregates of cells containing magnetic nanoparticles were patterned onto a tiger paw and imaged using fluorescent microscopy. These magnetic 3D aggregates can be used as tissue engineered building blocks to assemble complex tissues into controlled patterns using magnetic forces and patterning.