| Abstract Scope |
Conventional models of diabetic bone disease often expose cells directly to high-glucose media, overlooking capillary-mediated nutrient diffusion and limiting the physiological accuracy of these in vitro models. Our research addresses this gap by developing a semi-permeable hydrogel barrier that replicates the structural and transport properties of capillary walls within a bone-on-a-chip microfluidic device. Positioned between endothelial-lined channels and skeletal cell compartments, the hydrogel interface mimics passive glucose diffusion as it occurs in vivo, addressing a key limitation of conventional static cell culture models. Photocrosslinkable polymers (e.g., PEGDA, GELMA) are tuned for permeability, porosity, and mechanical stability; performance is evaluated via biochemical diffusion assays, Fickian kinetics, and CFD simulations. This barrier functions as both a biological and conceptual interface, modeling vascular transport while bridging engineering and clinical research. This platform underscores the potential of biomimetic materials and microfluidic engineering to advance disease modeling and inform biomaterial strategies for skeletal repair. |