Microfluidics and biomaterials to study angiogenesis

Toward the design of lab-on-a-chip technologies to recapitulate angiogenesis, chemical and mechanical cues in the vascular microenvironment are being considered. The goal is to develop platforms with control over shear stress, spatial architecture, and nutrient and chemical transport properties, similar to those exhibited in the microvascular. Bioengineers studying angiogenesis, commonly use microfluidics or hydrogels to explore the complexity of the angiogenesis mechanism. Recent advances in fabrication technology have led to the incorporation of microfluidic architecture into hydrogels. This allows combining the spatial setting in physiological relevant milieu using novel hydrogels, with the precise control of fluid transport and chemical gradients gained by using microfluidic technologies. The main scope of the review is to explore main hydrogel and microfludic technologies and innovations in merging those toward a better understanding of angiogenesis.