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Our sense of hearing is mediated by cochlear hair cells, of which there are two types organized in one row of inner hair cells and three rows of outer hair cells. Each cochlea contains 5-15 thousand terminally differentiated hair cells, and their survival is essential for hearing as they do not regenerate after insult. It is often desirable in hearing research to quantify the number of hair cells within cochlear samples, in both pathological conditions, and in response to treatment. Machine learning can be used to automate the quantification process but requires a vast and diverse dataset for effective training. In this study, we present a large collection of annotated cochlear hair-cell datasets, labeled with commonly used hair-cell markers and imaged using various fluorescence microscopy techniques. The collection includes samples from mouse, rat, guinea pig, pig, primate, and human cochlear tissue, from normal conditions and following in-vivo and in-vitro ototoxic drug application. The dataset includes over 107,000 hair cells which have been identified and annotated as either inner or outer hair cells. This dataset is the result of a collaborative effort from multiple laboratories and has been carefully curated to represent a variety of imaging techniques. With suggested usage parameters and a well-described annotation procedure, this collection can facilitate the development of generalizable cochlear hair-cell detection models or serve as a starting point for fine-tuning models for other analysis tasks. By providing this dataset, we aim to give other hearing research groups the opportunity to develop their own tools with which to analyze cochlear imaging data more fully, accurately, and with greater ease.

Our sense of hearing is mediated by cochlear hair cells, localized within the sensory epithelium called the organ of Corti. There are two types of hair cells in the cochlea, which are organized in one row of inner hair cells and three rows of outer hair cells. Each cochlea contains a few thousands of hair cells, and their survival is essential for our perception of sound because they are terminally differentiated and do not regenerate after insult. It is often desirable in hearing research to quantify the number of hair cells within cochlear samples, in both pathological conditions, and in response to treatment. However, the sheer number of cells along the cochlea makes manual quantification impractical. Machine learning can be used to overcome this challenge by automating the quantification process but requires a vast and diverse dataset for effective training. In this study, we present a large collection of annotated cochlear hair-cell datasets, labeled with commonly used hair-cell markers and imaged using various fluorescence microscopy techniques. The collection includes samples from mouse, human, pig and guinea pig cochlear tissue, from normal conditions and following in-vivo and in-vitro ototoxic drug application. The dataset includes over 90,000 hair cells, all of which have been manually identified and annotated as one of two cell types: inner hair cells and outer hair cells. This dataset is the result of a collaborative effort from multiple laboratories and has been carefully curated to represent a variety of imaging techniques. With suggested usage parameters and a well-described annotation procedure, this collection can facilitate the development of generalizable cochlear hair cell detection models or serve as a starting point for fine-tuning models for other analysis tasks. By providing this dataset, we aim to supply other groups within the hearing research community with the opportunity to develop their own tools with which to analyze cochlear imaging d

Left-right asymmetry is a conserved property in nature and observed in the human body, a property known as cell chirality. Cell chirality is often studied using micropatterned in vitro models. However, micropattern geometry and size often varies across different studies, making it challenging to compare results. Here, we utilized micropatterned RGD-peptide lines on hyaluronic acid hydrogels to investigate the effect of the micropattern width on the exhibited cell chirality bias of brain microvascular endothelial cells. Overall, this cell type exhibited a negative chirality bias on micropatterned lines ranging from 10 mu m to 400 mu m in width, where the negative bias was most pronounced on the 100 mu m wide lines. We also observed that this exhibited chirality bias varied across the line width. This work serves as a guide to determine optimal micropattern width for further investigations on cell chirality bias and its prominence in e.g., disease states or upon exposure to toxic substances.

Left-right asymmetry is a conserved property in nature and observed in the human body, a property known as cell chirality. Cell chirality is often studied using micropatterned in vitro models. However, micropattern geometry and size often varies across different studies, making it challenging to compare results. Here, we utilized micropatterned RGD-peptide lines on hyaluronic acid hydrogels to investigate the effect of the micropattern width on the exhibited cell chirality bias of brain microvascular endothelial cells. Overall, this cell type exhibited a negative chirality bias on micropatterned lines ranging from 10 mu m to 400 mu m in width, where the negative bias was most pronounced on the 100 mu m wide lines. We also observed that this exhibited chirality bias varied across the line width. This work serves as a guide to determine optimal micropattern width for further investigations on cell chirality bias and its prominence in e.g., disease states or upon exposure to toxic substances.

Left-right asymmetry is a conserved property in nature and observed in the human body, a property known as cell chirality. Cell chirality is often studied using micropatterned in vitro models. However, micropattern geometry and size often varies across different studies, making it challenging to compare results. Here, we utilized micropatterned RGD-peptide lines on hyaluronic acid hydrogels to investigate the effect of the micropattern width on the exhibited cell chirality bias of brain microvascular endothelial cells. Overall, this cell type exhibited a negative chirality bias on micropatterned lines ranging from 10 mu m to 400 mu m in width, where the negative bias was most pronounced on the 100 mu m wide lines. We also observed that this exhibited chirality bias varied across the line width. This work serves as a guide to determine optimal micropattern width for further investigations on cell chirality bias and its prominence in e.g., disease states or upon exposure to toxic substances.

Left-right asymmetry is a conserved property in nature and observed in the human body, a property known as cell chirality. Cell chirality is often studied using micropatterned in vitro models. However, micropattern geometry and size often varies across different studies, making it challenging to compare results. Here, we utilized micropatterned RGD-peptide lines on hyaluronic acid hydrogels to investigate the effect of the micropattern width on the exhibited cell chirality bias of brain microvascular endothelial cells. Overall, this cell type exhibited a negative chirality bias on micropatterned lines ranging from 10 mu m to 400 mu m in width, where the negative bias was most pronounced on the 100 mu m wide lines. We also observed that this exhibited chirality bias varied across the line width. This work serves as a guide to determine optimal micropattern width for further investigations on cell chirality bias and its prominence in e.g., disease states or upon exposure to toxic substances.

Currently, there is limited insight on the role that scientific diasporas can play in STEAM education in Latin America. Here, we present the Science Clubs Colombia (Clubes de Ciencia Colombia-SCC) program, a pioneering STEAM capacity-building initiative led by volunteer scientists to engage youth and children from underserved communities in science. The program brings together researchers based in Colombia and abroad to lead intensive project-based learning workshops for young students in urban and rural areas. These projects focus on channeling the students' technical and cognitive scientific aptitudes to tackle challenges of both local and global relevance. The program provides high-quality STEAM education adapted to communities' needs and articulates long-lasting international collaborations using the mobility of the Colombian diaspora. The program's success is tangible via its sustained growth and adaptability. Since its first version in 2015, 722 volunteer scientists living abroad or in Colombia have collaborated to create 364 clubs with the participation of 9,295 students. We describe elements of the SCC program that lead to a scalable and reproducible outcome to engage science diasporas in STEAM education. Additionally, we discuss the involvement of multiple stakeholders and the generation of international networks as potential science diplomacy outcomes. The SCC program strengthens the involvement of Latin American youth in science, demonstrates the potential of engaging scientific diasporas in science education, and enriches connections between the Global South and the Global North.

Currently, there is limited insight on the role that scientific diasporas can play in STEAM education in Latin America. Here, we present the Science Clubs Colombia (Clubes de Ciencia Colombia-SCC) program, a pioneering STEAM capacity-building initiative led by volunteer scientists to engage youth and children from underserved communities in science. The program brings together researchers based in Colombia and abroad to lead intensive project-based learning workshops for young students in urban and rural areas. These projects focus on channeling the students' technical and cognitive scientific aptitudes to tackle challenges of both local and global relevance. The program provides high-quality STEAM education adapted to communities' needs and articulates long-lasting international collaborations using the mobility of the Colombian diaspora. The program's success is tangible via its sustained growth and adaptability. Since its first version in 2015, 722 volunteer scientists living abroad or in Colombia have collaborated to create 364 clubs with the participation of 9,295 students. We describe elements of the SCC program that lead to a scalable and reproducible outcome to engage science diasporas in STEAM education. Additionally, we discuss the involvement of multiple stakeholders and the generation of international networks as potential science diplomacy outcomes. The SCC program strengthens the involvement of Latin American youth in science, demonstrates the potential of engaging scientific diasporas in science education, and enriches connections between the Global South and the Global North.

Left-right asymmetry is a conserved property in nature and observed in the human body, a property known as cell chirality. Cell chirality is often studied using micropatterned in vitro models. However, micropattern geometry and size often varies across different studies, making it challenging to compare results. Here, we utilized micropatterned RGD-peptide lines on hyaluronic acid hydrogels to investigate the effect of the micropattern width on the exhibited cell chirality bias of brain microvascular endothelial cells. Overall, this cell type exhibited a negative chirality bias on micropatterned lines ranging from 10 mu m to 400 mu m in width, where the negative bias was most pronounced on the 100 mu m wide lines. We also observed that this exhibited chirality bias varied across the line width. This work serves as a guide to determine optimal micropattern width for further investigations on cell chirality bias and its prominence in e.g., disease states or upon exposure to toxic substances.

Here we highlight 35 researchers approximately under the age of 35. Age, of course, is just a number—our target was emerging early-career academics. Contributors were recruited in a self-propagating “pay-it-forward” manner, with each invitee being suggested by a peer who had already contributed. The final collection is an inspiring look at the challenges the current generation of materials researchers are tackling.

Microfluidic devices are widely used for biomedical applications but there is still a lack of affordable, reliable and user-friendly systems for transferring microfluidic chips from an incubator to a microscope while maintaining physiological conditions when performing microscopy. The presented carrier represents a cost-effective option for sustaining environmental conditions of microfluidic chips in combination with minimizing the device manipulation required for reagent injection, media exchange or sample collection. The carrier, which has the outer dimension of a standard well plate size, contains an integrated perfusion system that can recirculate the media using piezo pumps, operated in either continuous or intermittent modes (50–1000 µl/min). Furthermore, a film resistive heater made from 37 µm-thick copper wires, including temperature feedback control, was used to maintain the microfluidic chip temperature at 37 °C when outside the incubator. The heater characterisation showed a uniform temperature distribution along the chip channel for perfusion flow rates up to 10 µl/min. To demonstrate the feasibility of our platform for long term cell culture monitoring, mouse brain endothelial cells (bEnd.3) were repeatedly monitored for a period of 10 days, demonstrating a system with both the versatility and the potential for long imaging in microphysiological system cell cultures.

Microfluidic devices are widely used for biomedical applications but there is still a lack of affordable, reliable and user-friendly systems for transferring microfluidic chips from an incubator to a microscope while maintaining physiological conditions when performing microscopy. The presented carrier represents a cost-effective option for sustaining environmental conditions of microfluidic chips in combination with minimizing the device manipulation required for reagent injection, media exchange or sample collection. The carrier, which has the outer dimension of a standard well plate size, contains an integrated perfusion system that can recirculate the media using piezo pumps, operated in either continuous or intermittent modes (50–1000 µl/min). Furthermore, a film resistive heater made from 37 µm-thick copper wires, including temperature feedback control, was used to maintain the microfluidic chip temperature at 37 °C when outside the incubator. The heater characterisation showed a uniform temperature distribution along the chip channel for perfusion flow rates up to 10 µl/min. To demonstrate the feasibility of our platform for long term cell culture monitoring, mouse brain endothelial cells (bEnd.3) were repeatedly monitored for a period of 10 days, demonstrating a system with both the versatility and the potential for long imaging in microphysiological system cell cultures.

Microfluidic devices are widely used for biomedical applications but there is still a lack of affordable, reliable and user-friendly systems for transferring microfluidic chips from an incubator to a microscope while maintaining physiological conditions when performing microscopy. The presented carrier represents a cost-effective option for sustaining environmental conditions of microfluidic chips in combination with minimizing the device manipulation required for reagent injection, media exchange or sample collection. The carrier, which has the outer dimension of a standard well plate size, contains an integrated perfusion system that can recirculate the media using piezo pumps, operated in either continuous or intermittent modes (50–1000 µl/min). Furthermore, a film resistive heater made from 37 µm-thick copper wires, including temperature feedback control, was used to maintain the microfluidic chip temperature at 37 °C when outside the incubator. The heater characterisation showed a uniform temperature distribution along the chip channel for perfusion flow rates up to 10 µl/min. To demonstrate the feasibility of our platform for long term cell culture monitoring, mouse brain endothelial cells (bEnd.3) were repeatedly monitored for a period of 10 days, demonstrating a system with both the versatility and the potential for long imaging in microphysiological system cell cultures.

This work reports on an effort to decipher the alignment of brain microvasculature endothelial cells to physical constrains generated via adhesion control on hydrogel surfaces and explore the corresponding responses upon glucose level variations emulating the hypo- and hyperglycaemic effects in diabetes. We prepared hydrogels of hyaluronic acid a natural biomaterial that does not naturally support endothelial cell adhesion, and specifically functionalised RGD peptides into lines using UV-mediated linkage. The width of the lines was varied from 10 to 100 µm. We evaluated cell alignment by measuring the nuclei, cell, and F-actin orientations, and the nuclei and cell eccentricity via immunofluorescent staining and image analysis. We found that the brain microvascular endothelial cells aligned and elongated to these physical constraints for all line widths. In addition, we also observed that varying the cell medium glucose levels affected the cell alignment along the patterns. We believe our results may provide a platform for further studies on the impact of altered glucose levels in cardiovascular disease.

This work reports on an effort to decipher the alignment of brain microvasculature endothelial cells to physical constrains generated via adhesion control on hydrogel surfaces and explore the corresponding responses upon glucose level variations emulating the hypo- and hyperglycaemic effects in diabetes. We prepared hydrogels of hyaluronic acid a natural biomaterial that does not naturally support endothelial cell adhesion, and specifically functionalised RGD peptides into lines using UV-mediated linkage. The width of the lines was varied from 10 to 100 µm. We evaluated cell alignment by measuring the nuclei, cell, and F-actin orientations, and the nuclei and cell eccentricity via immunofluorescent staining and image analysis. We found that the brain microvascular endothelial cells aligned and elongated to these physical constraints for all line widths. In addition, we also observed that varying the cell medium glucose levels affected the cell alignment along the patterns. We believe our results may provide a platform for further studies on the impact of altered glucose levels in cardiovascular disease.

This work reports on an effort to decipher the alignment of brain microvasculature endothelial cells to physical constrains generated via adhesion control on hydrogel surfaces and explore the corresponding responses upon glucose level variations emulating the hypo- and hyperglycaemic effects in diabetes. We prepared hydrogels of hyaluronic acid a natural biomaterial that does not naturally support endothelial cell adhesion, and specifically functionalised RGD peptides into lines using UV-mediated linkage. The width of the lines was varied from 10 to 100 µm. We evaluated cell alignment by measuring the nuclei, cell, and F-actin orientations, and the nuclei and cell eccentricity via immunofluorescent staining and image analysis. We found that the brain microvascular endothelial cells aligned and elongated to these physical constraints for all line widths. In addition, we also observed that varying the cell medium glucose levels affected the cell alignment along the patterns. We believe our results may provide a platform for further studies on the impact of altered glucose levels in cardiovascular disease.

Microfluidic devices are widely used for biomedical applications but there is still a lack of affordable, reliable and user-friendly systems for transferring microfluidic chips from an incubator to a microscope while maintaining physiological conditions when performing microscopy. The presented carrier represents a cost-effective option for sustaining environmental conditions of microfluidic chips in combination with minimizing the device manipulation required for reagent injection, media exchange or sample collection. The carrier, which has the outer dimension of a standard well plate size, contains an integrated perfusion system that can recirculate the media using piezo pumps, operated in either continuous or intermittent modes (50–1000 µl/min). Furthermore, a film resistive heater made from 37 µm-thick copper wires, including temperature feedback control, was used to maintain the microfluidic chip temperature at 37 °C when outside the incubator. The heater characterisation showed a uniform temperature distribution along the chip channel for perfusion flow rates up to 10 µl/min. To demonstrate the feasibility of our platform for long term cell culture monitoring, mouse brain endothelial cells (bEnd.3) were repeatedly monitored for a period of 10 days, demonstrating a system with both the versatility and the potential for long imaging in microphysiological system cell cultures.

This work reports on an effort to decipher the alignment of brain microvasculature endothelial cells to physical constrains generated via adhesion control on hydrogel surfaces and explore the corresponding responses upon glucose level variations emulating the hypo- and hyperglycaemic effects in diabetes. We prepared hydrogels of hyaluronic acid a natural biomaterial that does not naturally support endothelial cell adhesion, and specifically functionalised RGD peptides into lines using UV-mediated linkage. The width of the lines was varied from 10 to 100 µm. We evaluated cell alignment by measuring the nuclei, cell, and F-actin orientations, and the nuclei and cell eccentricity via immunofluorescent staining and image analysis. We found that the brain microvascular endothelial cells aligned and elongated to these physical constraints for all line widths. In addition, we also observed that varying the cell medium glucose levels affected the cell alignment along the patterns. We believe our results may provide a platform for further studies on the impact of altered glucose levels in cardiovascular disease.

The health system has had to adapt to the pandemic situation. But not everything is COVID. The “usual” health problems, situations of vulnerability, inequality, have not stopped being there. From the Equality Commission of the Alcoy Health Department, and specifically by the health social workers who coordinate this commission, a commitment has been made to new technologies to work on raising awareness and sensitization on Gender Equality and Violence. Aimed at social and health professionals and at the community level. The objective of this work is to describe the activities carried out during these months, we wanted them to be varied, novel and attractive. Collaboration was re- quested in carrying them out, through corporate emails, social networks and whatsapp. We achieve the objective of reaching all those interested in these issues, and their participation and involvement that is necessary to achieve changes., El sistema sanitario se ha tenido que adaptar a la situación de pandemia. Pero no todo es COVID. Los problemas de salud “habituales”, situaciones de vulnerabilidad, de desigualdad, no han dejado de estar ahí. Desde la Comisión de Igualdad del Departamento de Salud de Alcoy, y en concreto por las trabajadoras sociales sanitarias que coordinan dicha comisión, se ha hecho una apuesta por las nuevas tecnologías para trabajar en la concienciación y sensibilización sobre Igualdad y de Violencia de Género. Dirigido a profesionales sociosanitarios y ámbito comunitario. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir las actividades realizadas durante estos meses, pretendimos que fueran variadas, novedosas y atractivas. Se solicitó colaboración en la realización de las mismas, mediante correos corporativos, redes sociales y whatsapp. Conseguimos el objetivo de llegar a todos los/as interesados/as en estos temas, y su participación e implicación que es necesaria para la consecución de cambios.

Microfluidic devices are widely used for biomedical applications but there is still a lack of affordable, reliable and user-friendly systems for transferring microfluidic chips from an incubator to a microscope while maintaining physiological conditions when performing microscopy. The presented carrier represents a cost-effective option for sustaining environmental conditions of microfluidic chips in combination with minimizing the device manipulation required for reagent injection, media exchange or sample collection. The carrier, which has the outer dimension of a standard well plate size, contains an integrated perfusion system that can recirculate the media using piezo pumps, operated in either continuous or intermittent modes (50–1000 µl/min). Furthermore, a film resistive heater made from 37 µm-thick copper wires, including temperature feedback control, was used to maintain the microfluidic chip temperature at 37 °C when outside the incubator. The heater characterisation showed a uniform temperature distribution along the chip channel for perfusion flow rates up to 10 µl/min. To demonstrate the feasibility of our platform for long term cell culture monitoring, mouse brain endothelial cells (bEnd.3) were repeatedly monitored for a period of 10 days, demonstrating a system with both the versatility and the potential for long imaging in microphysiological system cell cultures.

This work reports on an effort to decipher the alignment of brain microvasculature endothelial cells to physical constrains generated via adhesion control on hydrogel surfaces and explore the corresponding responses upon glucose level variations emulating the hypo- and hyperglycaemic effects in diabetes. We prepared hydrogels of hyaluronic acid a natural biomaterial that does not naturally support endothelial cell adhesion, and specifically functionalised RGD peptides into lines using UV-mediated linkage. The width of the lines was varied from 10 to 100 µm. We evaluated cell alignment by measuring the nuclei, cell, and F-actin orientations, and the nuclei and cell eccentricity via immunofluorescent staining and image analysis. We found that the brain microvascular endothelial cells aligned and elongated to these physical constraints for all line widths. In addition, we also observed that varying the cell medium glucose levels affected the cell alignment along the patterns. We believe our results may provide a platform for further studies on the impact of altered glucose levels in cardiovascular disease.

This review article describes microfabrication techniques to define chemical, mechanical and structural patterns in hydrogels and how these can be used to prepare in vivo like, i.e. biomimetic, cell culture scaffolds. Hydrogels are attractive materials for 3D cell cultures as they provide ideal culture conditions and they are becoming more prominently used. Single material gels without any modifications do however have their limitation in use and much can be gained by in improving the in vivo resemblance of simple hydrogel cell culture scaffolds. This review article discusses the most commonly used cross-linking strategies used for hydrogel-based culture scaffolds and gives a brief introduction to microfabrication methods that can be used to define chemical, mechanical and structural patterns in hydrogels with micrometre resolution. The review article also describes a selection of literature references using these microfabrication techniques to prepare organ and disease models with controlled cell adhesion, proliferation and migration. It is intended to serve as an introduction to microfabrication of hydrogels and an inspiration for novel interdisciplinary research projects.

This review article describes microfabrication techniques to define chemical, mechanical and structural patterns in hydrogels and how these can be used to prepare in vivo like, i.e. biomimetic, cell culture scaffolds. Hydrogels are attractive materials for 3D cell cultures as they provide ideal culture conditions and they are becoming more prominently used. Single material gels without any modifications do however have their limitation in use and much can be gained by in improving the in vivo resemblance of simple hydrogel cell culture scaffolds. This review article discusses the most commonly used cross-linking strategies used for hydrogel-based culture scaffolds and gives a brief introduction to microfabrication methods that can be used to define chemical, mechanical and structural patterns in hydrogels with micrometre resolution. The review article also describes a selection of literature references using these microfabrication techniques to prepare organ and disease models with controlled cell adhesion, proliferation and migration. It is intended to serve as an introduction to microfabrication of hydrogels and an inspiration for novel interdisciplinary research projects.

This review article describes microfabrication techniques to define chemical, mechanical and structural patterns in hydrogels and how these can be used to prepare in vivo like, i.e. biomimetic, cell culture scaffolds. Hydrogels are attractive materials for 3D cell cultures as they provide ideal culture conditions and they are becoming more prominently used. Single material gels without any modifications do however have their limitation in use and much can be gained by in improving the in vivo resemblance of simple hydrogel cell culture scaffolds. This review article discusses the most commonly used cross-linking strategies used for hydrogel-based culture scaffolds and gives a brief introduction to microfabrication methods that can be used to define chemical, mechanical and structural patterns in hydrogels with micrometre resolution. The review article also describes a selection of literature references using these microfabrication techniques to prepare organ and disease models with controlled cell adhesion, proliferation and migration. It is intended to serve as an introduction to microfabrication of hydrogels and an inspiration for novel interdisciplinary research projects.

Health is a relevant aspect in people’s lives, but there are many factors that surround us and that can affect it. We can make a general differentiation of these factors, on the one hand there are physical determinants and on the other hand social elements that surround the user’s environment and that influence it. It is important as socio-health professionals to be aware of the relevance and influence of these elements, to promote healthy factors as well as offering alternatives that maintain and improve health. Therefore, users and professionals must be made aware and held responsible for the importance of experiences and life choices that affect the present and future of health., La salud es un aspecto relevante en la vida de las personas pero existen muchos factores que nos rodean y que pueden incidir en la misma. Podemos hacer una diferenciación general de dichos factores, por una parte existen los determinantes físicos y por otra parte elementos sociales que envuelven el entorno del usuario y que influyen en la misma. Es importante como profesionales sociosanitarios ser conocedores de la relevancia e influencia de estos elementos, para fomentar los factores saludables así como ofrecer alternativas que mantengan y mejoren la salud. Por lo tanto, hay que concienciar y responsabilizar tanto a los/as usuarios/as como a los/as profesionales de la importancia de las vivencias y las elecciones de vida que repercuten en el presente y futuro de la salud.

This review article describes microfabrication techniques to define chemical, mechanical and structural patterns in hydrogels and how these can be used to prepare in vivo like, i.e. biomimetic, cell culture scaffolds. Hydrogels are attractive materials for 3D cell cultures as they provide ideal culture conditions and they are becoming more prominently used. Single material gels without any modifications do however have their limitation in use and much can be gained by in improving the in vivo resemblance of simple hydrogel cell culture scaffolds. This review article discusses the most commonly used cross-linking strategies used for hydrogel-based culture scaffolds and gives a brief introduction to microfabrication methods that can be used to define chemical, mechanical and structural patterns in hydrogels with micrometre resolution. The review article also describes a selection of literature references using these microfabrication techniques to prepare organ and disease models with controlled cell adhesion, proliferation and migration. It is intended to serve as an introduction to microfabrication of hydrogels and an inspiration for novel interdisciplinary research projects.

This review article describes microfabrication techniques to define chemical, mechanical and structural patterns in hydrogels and how these can be used to prepare in vivo like, i.e. biomimetic, cell culture scaffolds. Hydrogels are attractive materials for 3D cell cultures as they provide ideal culture conditions and they are becoming more prominently used. Single material gels without any modifications do however have their limitation in use and much can be gained by in improving the in vivo resemblance of simple hydrogel cell culture scaffolds. This review article discusses the most commonly used cross-linking strategies used for hydrogel-based culture scaffolds and gives a brief introduction to microfabrication methods that can be used to define chemical, mechanical and structural patterns in hydrogels with micrometre resolution. The review article also describes a selection of literature references using these microfabrication techniques to prepare organ and disease models with controlled cell adhesion, proliferation and migration. It is intended to serve as an introduction to microfabrication of hydrogels and an inspiration for novel interdisciplinary research projects.

The blood brain barrier is constituted by endothelial cells, astrocytes and pericytes; and are organized into well structured units [1]. Standard cell culture techniques cannot recapitulate this organized structure. Hydrogels are an attractive scaffold due to their mechanical and chemical properties similar to those in body tissue[2] We propose the use of a photo-crosslinkable hyaluronic acid hydrogel as cell culture scaffold. Furthermore, chemical cues can be added into the hydrogel matrix to promote and control cell adhesion using UV lithography.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) derived hydrogels give support and structure for cultured cells in 3D environments that better mimic in vivo conditions 1. Adequate diffusion of oxygen and nutrients however, is generally limited to a depth of 200 µm in bulk hydrogels 2, limiting their applicability to larger size constructs. Through droplet-based microfluidics we produced monodisperse HA-derived microgel droplets. Hyaluronic acid acrylamide (HA-am) was synthesized by partially modifying high molecular weight sodium hyaluronan with a N-(2-aminoethyl)acrylamide linker to a 20% degree. Gel droplets were produced in a PDMS microfluidic device designed in a flow focusing geometry. In this setup polystyrene beads were added to simulate cell-encapsulation into a matrix that would better reflect in vivo conditions. The hydrogel precursor mixtures were prepared with 2% solution of HA-am and a photoinitiator with the addition of polystyrene beads (10µm in diameter) at a concentration of 10 million beads per milliliter. A fluorinated oil (Novec 7500, 3M) with 0.5% surfactant (PicoSurf 1) was used as the continuous phase. Highly monodisperse droplets of 151 µm in average diameter were produced and later polymerized by exposing to a long-wave UV light source (365 nm). We demonstrate that photocrosslinkable hydrogel droplets can be produced from HA-am. These microgels could enable the diffusion of nutrients and metabolites, while maintaining a size in which encapsulating sufficient cells to allow cell-cell interactions and proliferation would be possible. [1] J. A. Burdick and G. D. Prestwich, Adv. Mater., 2011, 23, 41–56. [2] H. Huang, Y. Yu, Y. Hu, X. He, O. Berk Usta and M. L. Yarmush, Lab Chip, 2017, 17, 1913–1932.

Introduction Cell culture scaffolds such as hydrogels give support and structure for cultured cells in 3D environments that better mimic in vivo conditions [1]. Hyaluronic acid (HA) derived hydrogels are particularly attractive scaffold materials, due to their high water content, and its high presence in the extracellular matrix of a multitude of tissues in the human body [2]. Adequate diffusion of oxygen and nutrients however, is generally limited to a depth of 200 µm in bulk hydrogels [3], heavily limiting their applicability to relatively large size constructs. We propose the use of droplet-based microfluidics to produce monodisperse HA-derived injectable microgel droplets which could enable the diffusion of nutrients and metabolites, while maintaining a size in which encapsulating sufficient cells to allow cell-cell interactions and proliferation would be possible. Experimental results Hyaluronic acid acrylamide (HA-am) was synthesized by partially modifying high molecular weight sodium hyaluronan with a N-(2-aminoethyl)acrylamide linker. Degree of modification was confirmed by NMR to be of 20%. HA-am bulk hydrogels were formed by exposing a solution of HA-am and photoinitiator Irgacure 2959 (0.4 % w/v) to a UV light source of 365 nm wavelength. Gel droplets were produced in a PDMS microfluidic device designed in a flow focusing geometry. In order to simulate cell encapsulation in the microgel, hydrogel precursor mixtures were prepared as for bulk hydrogels with the addition of polystyrene beads (10µm in diameter) at a concentration of 10 million beads ml-1. For the oil phase, a fluorinated oil (Novec 7500, 3M) with 0.5% surfactant (PicoSurf 1) was used. The flow rates for the oil phase and aqueous phase were adjusted to 15 and 5 µl min-1, respectively to produce highly monodisperse droplets of 151 µm in average diameter. Collected droplets were polymerized by exposing to UV light, washed and transferred to an aqueous solution. Conclusion Highly monodisper

Introduction Cell culture scaffolds such as hydrogels give support and structure for cultured cells in 3D environments that better mimic in vivo conditions [1]. Hyaluronic acid (HA) derived hydrogels are particularly attractive scaffold materials, due to their high water content, and its high presence in the extracellular matrix of a multitude of tissues in the human body [2]. Adequate diffusion of oxygen and nutrients however, is generally limited to a depth of 200 µm in bulk hydrogels [3], heavily limiting their applicability to relatively large size constructs. We propose the use of droplet-based microfluidics to produce monodisperse HA-derived injectable microgel droplets which could enable the diffusion of nutrients and metabolites, while maintaining a size in which encapsulating sufficient cells to allow cell-cell interactions and proliferation would be possible. Experimental results Hyaluronic acid acrylamide (HA-am) was synthesized by partially modifying high molecular weight sodium hyaluronan with a N-(2-aminoethyl)acrylamide linker. Degree of modification was confirmed by NMR to be of 20%. HA-am bulk hydrogels were formed by exposing a solution of HA-am and photoinitiator Irgacure 2959 (0.4 % w/v) to a UV light source of 365 nm wavelength. Gel droplets were produced in a PDMS microfluidic device designed in a flow focusing geometry. In order to simulate cell encapsulation in the microgel, hydrogel precursor mixtures were prepared as for bulk hydrogels with the addition of polystyrene beads (10µm in diameter) at a concentration of 10 million beads ml-1. For the oil phase, a fluorinated oil (Novec 7500, 3M) with 0.5% surfactant (PicoSurf 1) was used. The flow rates for the oil phase and aqueous phase were adjusted to 15 and 5 µl min-1, respectively to produce highly monodisperse droplets of 151 µm in average diameter. Collected droplets were polymerized by exposing to UV light, washed and transferred to an aqueous solution. Conclusion Highly monodisper

Hyaluronic acid (HA) derived hydrogels give support and structure for cultured cells in 3D environments that better mimic in vivo conditions 1. Adequate diffusion of oxygen and nutrients however, is generally limited to a depth of 200 µm in bulk hydrogels 2, limiting their applicability to larger size constructs. Through droplet-based microfluidics we produced monodisperse HA-derived microgel droplets. Hyaluronic acid acrylamide (HA-am) was synthesized by partially modifying high molecular weight sodium hyaluronan with a N-(2-aminoethyl)acrylamide linker to a 20% degree. Gel droplets were produced in a PDMS microfluidic device designed in a flow focusing geometry. In this setup polystyrene beads were added to simulate cell-encapsulation into a matrix that would better reflect in vivo conditions. The hydrogel precursor mixtures were prepared with 2% solution of HA-am and a photoinitiator with the addition of polystyrene beads (10µm in diameter) at a concentration of 10 million beads per milliliter. A fluorinated oil (Novec 7500, 3M) with 0.5% surfactant (PicoSurf 1) was used as the continuous phase. Highly monodisperse droplets of 151 µm in average diameter were produced and later polymerized by exposing to a long-wave UV light source (365 nm). We demonstrate that photocrosslinkable hydrogel droplets can be produced from HA-am. These microgels could enable the diffusion of nutrients and metabolites, while maintaining a size in which encapsulating sufficient cells to allow cell-cell interactions and proliferation would be possible. [1] J. A. Burdick and G. D. Prestwich, Adv. Mater., 2011, 23, 41–56. [2] H. Huang, Y. Yu, Y. Hu, X. He, O. Berk Usta and M. L. Yarmush, Lab Chip, 2017, 17, 1913–1932.

Emily Brontë retrata la realidad social del siglo XIX y demuestra su conocimiento jurídico en Wuthering Heights (1847). El propósito de este artículo es explicar el principal conflicto social de la novela: Heathcliff se rebela contra la sociedad capitalista y amparándose en el marco de la legalidad vigente logra apropiarse de las propiedades de la novela con el propósito de alcanzar el estatus social del que nunca ha disfrutado., Emily Brontë portrays the social reality of the 19th century and demonstrates her legal knowledge in Wuthering Heights (1847). The purpose of this article is to explain the main social conflict of the novel: Heathcliff revolts against the capitalist society that has dared to exclude him and sheltering himself within the framework of the current legality manages to appropriate the two properties of the novel with the purpose of achieving the social status of which he has never enjoyed.

Emily Brontë retrata la realidad social del siglo XIX y demuestra su conocimiento jurídico en Wuthering Heights (1847). El propósito de este artículo es explicar el principal conflicto social de la novela: Heathcliff se rebela contra la sociedad capitalista y amparándose en el marco de la legalidad vigente logra apropiarse de las propiedades de la novela con el propósito de alcanzar el estatus social del que nunca ha disfrutado., Emily Brontë portrays the social reality of the 19th century and demonstrates her legal knowledge in Wuthering Heights (1847). The purpose of this article is to explain the main social conflict of the novel: Heathcliff revolts against the capitalist society that has dared to exclude him and sheltering himself within the framework of the current legality manages to appropriate the two properties of the novel with the purpose of achieving the social status of which he has never enjoyed.

Emily Brontë retrata la realidad social del siglo XIX y demuestra su conocimiento jurídico en Wuthering Heights (1847). El propósito de este artículo es explicar el principal conflicto social de la novela: Heathcliff se rebela contra la sociedad capitalista y amparándose en el marco de la legalidad vigente logra apropiarse de las propiedades de la novela con el propósito de alcanzar el estatus social del que nunca ha disfrutado., Emily Brontë portrays the social reality of the 19th century and demonstrates her legal knowledge in Wuthering Heights (1847). The purpose of this article is to explain the main social conflict of the novel: Heathcliff revolts against the capitalist society that has dared to exclude him and sheltering himself within the framework of the current legality manages to appropriate the two properties of the novel with the purpose of achieving the social status of which he has never enjoyed.

Este trabajo analiza los vínculos existentes entre la agenda internacional de equidad de género y el derecho de acceso a la información. El enfoque de mainstreaming de género, que surge con fuerza en la IV Conferencia Mundial sobre las Mujeres celebrada en 1995 en Beijing, nace de la preocupación de lograr una igualdad real. De este modo, se enfatiza la necesidad de adoptar una estrategia transversal que tenga en cuenta las diferencias existentes entre mujeres y hombres en el marco de la elaboración y la aplicación de todas las políticas públicas, sea cual sea la problemática que éstas aborden.Desde esta óptica, el objeto de esta tesis doctoral es analizar la pertinencia de este enfoque en las políticas públicas de acceso a la información, así como las cuestiones fundamentales que deberían guiar la aplicación de dicho enfoque. En este sentido, el análisis se centra, principalmente, en contextos de mayor vulnerabilidad como los países en desarrollo, que presentan significativas desigualdades entre mujeres y hombres.La investigación establece dos niveles diferentes de análisis. El primero se refiere a un análisis a escala global, que aborda las cuestiones objeto de estudio desde la perspectiva de la agenda internacional, poniendo atención especial a los contextos de países en desarrollo. El segundo nivel de análisis se centra en el caso concreto de un Estado: Marruecos. La elección de este país se debe, principalmente, al momento de especial interés que este país vive en materia de acceso a la información. Tras establecer el reconocimiento del derecho de acceso a la información en la nueva Constitución que fue adoptada en 2011, Marruecos está inmerso en un complejo proceso de elaboración de la ley relativa a este derecho, proceso que permitirá la traducción del compromiso constitucional en una norma jurídica..., The present work analyses the links existing between the international agenda for gender equity and the right of access to information. The focus of gender mainstreaming, which have emerged strongly with the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995, was the result of the concern to achieve true equality. Thus, focus was put on the need to adopt a transversal strategy able to take into account the existing differences between women and men within the framework of the development and implementation of all public policies, regardless of the issue they might address.From this perspective, the aim of this PhD Dissertation is to analyse the relevance of such approach in the public policies related to information access, as well as the fundamental issues that should guide the implementation of such approach. In this regard, the analysis focusses mainly on highly vulnerable contexts, such as those in developing countries, which show a significant amount of inequality between women and men.The investigation sets out two different levels of analysis. The first one has to do with an analysis on a global scale, which addresses the issues under consideration from an international agenda perspective, paying a special attention to the contexts of developing countries. The second level of analysis is focused on the specific case of a State: Morocco. The election of said country can be explained mainly by the special interest which this country is experiencing in the field of access to information. Once the right to access information was recognised in the new Constitution adopted in 2011, Morocco engaged in a complex process of elaborating the Act related to such right. The aforesaid process will allow the translation of the constitutional commitment into a legal rule...

Hyaluronic acid (HA) derived hydrogels give support and structure for cultured cells in 3D environments that better mimic in vivo conditions 1. Adequate diffusion of oxygen and nutrients however, is generally limited to a depth of 200 µm in bulk hydrogels 2, limiting their applicability to larger size constructs. Through droplet-based microfluidics we produced monodisperse HA-derived microgel droplets. Hyaluronic acid acrylamide (HA-am) was synthesized by partially modifying high molecular weight sodium hyaluronan with a N-(2-aminoethyl)acrylamide linker to a 20% degree. Gel droplets were produced in a PDMS microfluidic device designed in a flow focusing geometry. In this setup polystyrene beads were added to simulate cell-encapsulation into a matrix that would better reflect in vivo conditions. The hydrogel precursor mixtures were prepared with 2% solution of HA-am and a photoinitiator with the addition of polystyrene beads (10µm in diameter) at a concentration of 10 million beads per milliliter. A fluorinated oil (Novec 7500, 3M) with 0.5% surfactant (PicoSurf 1) was used as the continuous phase. Highly monodisperse droplets of 151 µm in average diameter were produced and later polymerized by exposing to a long-wave UV light source (365 nm). We demonstrate that photocrosslinkable hydrogel droplets can be produced from HA-am. These microgels could enable the diffusion of nutrients and metabolites, while maintaining a size in which encapsulating sufficient cells to allow cell-cell interactions and proliferation would be possible. [1] J. A. Burdick and G. D. Prestwich, Adv. Mater., 2011, 23, 41–56. [2] H. Huang, Y. Yu, Y. Hu, X. He, O. Berk Usta and M. L. Yarmush, Lab Chip, 2017, 17, 1913–1932.

Introduction Cell culture scaffolds such as hydrogels give support and structure for cultured cells in 3D environments that better mimic in vivo conditions [1]. Hyaluronic acid (HA) derived hydrogels are particularly attractive scaffold materials, due to their high water content, and its high presence in the extracellular matrix of a multitude of tissues in the human body [2]. Adequate diffusion of oxygen and nutrients however, is generally limited to a depth of 200 µm in bulk hydrogels [3], heavily limiting their applicability to relatively large size constructs. We propose the use of droplet-based microfluidics to produce monodisperse HA-derived injectable microgel droplets which could enable the diffusion of nutrients and metabolites, while maintaining a size in which encapsulating sufficient cells to allow cell-cell interactions and proliferation would be possible. Experimental results Hyaluronic acid acrylamide (HA-am) was synthesized by partially modifying high molecular weight sodium hyaluronan with a N-(2-aminoethyl)acrylamide linker. Degree of modification was confirmed by NMR to be of 20%. HA-am bulk hydrogels were formed by exposing a solution of HA-am and photoinitiator Irgacure 2959 (0.4 % w/v) to a UV light source of 365 nm wavelength. Gel droplets were produced in a PDMS microfluidic device designed in a flow focusing geometry. In order to simulate cell encapsulation in the microgel, hydrogel precursor mixtures were prepared as for bulk hydrogels with the addition of polystyrene beads (10µm in diameter) at a concentration of 10 million beads ml-1. For the oil phase, a fluorinated oil (Novec 7500, 3M) with 0.5% surfactant (PicoSurf 1) was used. The flow rates for the oil phase and aqueous phase were adjusted to 15 and 5 µl min-1, respectively to produce highly monodisperse droplets of 151 µm in average diameter. Collected droplets were polymerized by exposing to UV light, washed and transferred to an aqueous solution. Conclusion Highly monodisper

Emily Brontë retrata la realidad social del siglo XIX y demuestra su conocimiento jurídico en Wuthering Heights (1847). El propósito de este artículo es explicar el principal conflicto social de la novela: Heathcliff se rebela contra la sociedad capitalista y amparándose en el marco de la legalidad vigente logra apropiarse de las propiedades de la novela con el propósito de alcanzar el estatus social del que nunca ha disfrutado., Emily Brontë portrays the social reality of the 19th century and demonstrates her legal knowledge in Wuthering Heights (1847). The purpose of this article is to explain the main social conflict of the novel: Heathcliff revolts against the capitalist society that has dared to exclude him and sheltering himself within the framework of the current legality manages to appropriate the two properties of the novel with the purpose of achieving the social status of which he has never enjoyed.

Este trabajo analiza los vínculos existentes entre la agenda internacional de equidad de género y el derecho de acceso a la información. El enfoque de mainstreaming de género, que surge con fuerza en la IV Conferencia Mundial sobre las Mujeres celebrada en 1995 en Beijing, nace de la preocupación de lograr una igualdad real. De este modo, se enfatiza la necesidad de adoptar una estrategia transversal que tenga en cuenta las diferencias existentes entre mujeres y hombres en el marco de la elaboración y la aplicación de todas las políticas públicas, sea cual sea la problemática que éstas aborden.Desde esta óptica, el objeto de esta tesis doctoral es analizar la pertinencia de este enfoque en las políticas públicas de acceso a la información, así como las cuestiones fundamentales que deberían guiar la aplicación de dicho enfoque. En este sentido, el análisis se centra, principalmente, en contextos de mayor vulnerabilidad como los países en desarrollo, que presentan significativas desigualdades entre mujeres y hombres.La investigación establece dos niveles diferentes de análisis. El primero se refiere a un análisis a escala global, que aborda las cuestiones objeto de estudio desde la perspectiva de la agenda internacional, poniendo atención especial a los contextos de países en desarrollo. El segundo nivel de análisis se centra en el caso concreto de un Estado: Marruecos. La elección de este país se debe, principalmente, al momento de especial interés que este país vive en materia de acceso a la información. Tras establecer el reconocimiento del derecho de acceso a la información en la nueva Constitución que fue adoptada en 2011, Marruecos está inmerso en un complejo proceso de elaboración de la ley relativa a este derecho, proceso que permitirá la traducción del compromiso constitucional en una norma jurídica..., The present work analyses the links existing between the international agenda for gender equity and the right of access to information. The focus of gender mainstreaming, which have emerged strongly with the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995, was the result of the concern to achieve true equality. Thus, focus was put on the need to adopt a transversal strategy able to take into account the existing differences between women and men within the framework of the development and implementation of all public policies, regardless of the issue they might address.From this perspective, the aim of this PhD Dissertation is to analyse the relevance of such approach in the public policies related to information access, as well as the fundamental issues that should guide the implementation of such approach. In this regard, the analysis focusses mainly on highly vulnerable contexts, such as those in developing countries, which show a significant amount of inequality between women and men.The investigation sets out two different levels of analysis. The first one has to do with an analysis on a global scale, which addresses the issues under consideration from an international agenda perspective, paying a special attention to the contexts of developing countries. The second level of analysis is focused on the specific case of a State: Morocco. The election of said country can be explained mainly by the special interest which this country is experiencing in the field of access to information. Once the right to access information was recognised in the new Constitution adopted in 2011, Morocco engaged in a complex process of elaborating the Act related to such right. The aforesaid process will allow the translation of the constitutional commitment into a legal rule...

Emily Brontë retrata la realidad social del siglo XIX y demuestra su conocimiento jurídico en Wuthering Heights (1847). El propósito de este artículo es explicar el principal conflicto social de la novela: Heathcliff se rebela contra la sociedad capitalista y amparándose en el marco de la legalidad vigente logra apropiarse de las propiedades de la novela con el propósito de alcanzar el estatus social del que nunca ha disfrutado., Emily Brontë portrays the social reality of the 19th century and demonstrates her legal knowledge in Wuthering Heights (1847). The purpose of this article is to explain the main social conflict of the novel: Heathcliff revolts against the capitalist society that has dared to exclude him and sheltering himself within the framework of the current legality manages to appropriate the two properties of the novel with the purpose of achieving the social status of which he has never enjoyed.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) derived hydrogels give support and structure for cultured cells in 3D environments that better mimic in vivo conditions 1. Adequate diffusion of oxygen and nutrients however, is generally limited to a depth of 200 µm in bulk hydrogels 2, limiting their applicability to larger size constructs. Through droplet-based microfluidics we produced monodisperse HA-derived microgel droplets. Hyaluronic acid acrylamide (HA-am) was synthesized by partially modifying high molecular weight sodium hyaluronan with a N-(2-aminoethyl)acrylamide linker to a 20% degree. Gel droplets were produced in a PDMS microfluidic device designed in a flow focusing geometry. In this setup polystyrene beads were added to simulate cell-encapsulation into a matrix that would better reflect in vivo conditions. The hydrogel precursor mixtures were prepared with 2% solution of HA-am and a photoinitiator with the addition of polystyrene beads (10µm in diameter) at a concentration of 10 million beads per milliliter. A fluorinated oil (Novec 7500, 3M) with 0.5% surfactant (PicoSurf 1) was used as the continuous phase. Highly monodisperse droplets of 151 µm in average diameter were produced and later polymerized by exposing to a long-wave UV light source (365 nm). We demonstrate that photocrosslinkable hydrogel droplets can be produced from HA-am. These microgels could enable the diffusion of nutrients and metabolites, while maintaining a size in which encapsulating sufficient cells to allow cell-cell interactions and proliferation would be possible. [1] J. A. Burdick and G. D. Prestwich, Adv. Mater., 2011, 23, 41–56. [2] H. Huang, Y. Yu, Y. Hu, X. He, O. Berk Usta and M. L. Yarmush, Lab Chip, 2017, 17, 1913–1932.

Introduction Cell culture scaffolds such as hydrogels give support and structure for cultured cells in 3D environments that better mimic in vivo conditions [1]. Hyaluronic acid (HA) derived hydrogels are particularly attractive scaffold materials, due to their high water content, and its high presence in the extracellular matrix of a multitude of tissues in the human body [2]. Adequate diffusion of oxygen and nutrients however, is generally limited to a depth of 200 µm in bulk hydrogels [3], heavily limiting their applicability to relatively large size constructs. We propose the use of droplet-based microfluidics to produce monodisperse HA-derived injectable microgel droplets which could enable the diffusion of nutrients and metabolites, while maintaining a size in which encapsulating sufficient cells to allow cell-cell interactions and proliferation would be possible. Experimental results Hyaluronic acid acrylamide (HA-am) was synthesized by partially modifying high molecular weight sodium hyaluronan with a N-(2-aminoethyl)acrylamide linker. Degree of modification was confirmed by NMR to be of 20%. HA-am bulk hydrogels were formed by exposing a solution of HA-am and photoinitiator Irgacure 2959 (0.4 % w/v) to a UV light source of 365 nm wavelength. Gel droplets were produced in a PDMS microfluidic device designed in a flow focusing geometry. In order to simulate cell encapsulation in the microgel, hydrogel precursor mixtures were prepared as for bulk hydrogels with the addition of polystyrene beads (10µm in diameter) at a concentration of 10 million beads ml-1. For the oil phase, a fluorinated oil (Novec 7500, 3M) with 0.5% surfactant (PicoSurf 1) was used. The flow rates for the oil phase and aqueous phase were adjusted to 15 and 5 µl min-1, respectively to produce highly monodisperse droplets of 151 µm in average diameter. Collected droplets were polymerized by exposing to UV light, washed and transferred to an aqueous solution. Conclusion Highly monodisper

Hyaluronic acid (HA) derived hydrogels give support and structure for cultured cells in 3D environments that better mimic in vivo conditions 1. Adequate diffusion of oxygen and nutrients however, is generally limited to a depth of 200 µm in bulk hydrogels 2, limiting their applicability to larger size constructs. Through droplet-based microfluidics we produced monodisperse HA-derived microgel droplets. Hyaluronic acid acrylamide (HA-am) was synthesized by partially modifying high molecular weight sodium hyaluronan with a N-(2-aminoethyl)acrylamide linker to a 20% degree. Gel droplets were produced in a PDMS microfluidic device designed in a flow focusing geometry. In this setup polystyrene beads were added to simulate cell-encapsulation into a matrix that would better reflect in vivo conditions. The hydrogel precursor mixtures were prepared with 2% solution of HA-am and a photoinitiator with the addition of polystyrene beads (10µm in diameter) at a concentration of 10 million beads per milliliter. A fluorinated oil (Novec 7500, 3M) with 0.5% surfactant (PicoSurf 1) was used as the continuous phase. Highly monodisperse droplets of 151 µm in average diameter were produced and later polymerized by exposing to a long-wave UV light source (365 nm). We demonstrate that photocrosslinkable hydrogel droplets can be produced from HA-am. These microgels could enable the diffusion of nutrients and metabolites, while maintaining a size in which encapsulating sufficient cells to allow cell-cell interactions and proliferation would be possible. [1] J. A. Burdick and G. D. Prestwich, Adv. Mater., 2011, 23, 41–56. [2] H. Huang, Y. Yu, Y. Hu, X. He, O. Berk Usta and M. L. Yarmush, Lab Chip, 2017, 17, 1913–1932.