Diffusion-Patterned Multi-Component Supramolecular Gels Loaded with Gold Nanoparticles Direct Mesenchymal Stem Cell Growth and Differentiation

Chayanan Tangsombun; Amy Melissa Simpson; Paul Genever; David K. Smith

doi:10.1002/adhm.202405057

Diffusion-Patterned Multi-Component Supramolecular Gels Loaded with Gold Nanoparticles Direct Mesenchymal Stem Cell Growth and Differentiation

Chayanan Tangsombun, Amy Melissa Simpson, Paul Genever, David K. Smith^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This article describes a new fabrication method using simple paper stamps to pattern gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in a hybrid hydrogel, creating multi-domain gels in which different domains have different cell compatibilities. Soaking a paper stamp in AuCl3 solution, and placing it on top of the gel, allows diffusion of Au(III) from the paper into the gel to create a patterned domain within the gel in which AuNPs are formed, with spatial resolution on the millimeter length-scale. The gels combine a low-molecular-weight gelator (LMWG) that chemically enables the in situ AuNP patterning and offers mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) compatibility with a rheologically stiff polymer gelator. Only the AuNP-loaded domains support MSC proliferation on the multi-domain system, inducing cell spreading and promoting osteogenesis with a reproducible pattern. This simple approach therefore programs a soft supramolecular material, enabling it to achieve spatially-resolved biological outcomes, and may have applications in tissue engineering.

Original language	English
Article number	2405057
Journal	Advanced Healthcare Materials
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202405057
Publication status	Published - 26 Mar 2025

Bibliographical note

© 2025 Wiley-VCH GmbH. This is an author-produced version of the published paper. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self-archiving policy. Further copying may not be permitted; contact the publisher for details.

Access to Document

10.1002/adhm.202405057

Embargoed Document

Au patterning Final Author Manuscript vFINAL AUTHOR
Accepted author manuscript, 1.71 MB
Embargo ends: 26/03/26

Embargoed Document

Au Patterning Supporting Information vFINAL AUTHOR
Accepted author manuscript, 4.63 MB
Embargo ends: 26/03/26

Cite this

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title = "Diffusion-Patterned Multi-Component Supramolecular Gels Loaded with Gold Nanoparticles Direct Mesenchymal Stem Cell Growth and Differentiation",

abstract = "This article describes a new fabrication method using simple paper stamps to pattern gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in a hybrid hydrogel, creating multi-domain gels in which different domains have different cell compatibilities. Soaking a paper stamp in AuCl3 solution, and placing it on top of the gel, allows diffusion of Au(III) from the paper into the gel to create a patterned domain within the gel in which AuNPs are formed, with spatial resolution on the millimeter length-scale. The gels combine a low-molecular-weight gelator (LMWG) that chemically enables the in situ AuNP patterning and offers mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) compatibility with a rheologically stiff polymer gelator. Only the AuNP-loaded domains support MSC proliferation on the multi-domain system, inducing cell spreading and promoting osteogenesis with a reproducible pattern. This simple approach therefore programs a soft supramolecular material, enabling it to achieve spatially-resolved biological outcomes, and may have applications in tissue engineering.",

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AU - Smith, David K.

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