Emulsion-templated gel embedding (IMAGE)
Caption
The step-by-step process researchers used to create tiny hydrogel capsules containing living cells. First, the researchers started with tiny uniform gelatin beads that acted as templates. These beads were mixed with cells and oil to form microscopic droplets. By carefully warming and cooling the mixture, the gelatin temporarily melted and then solidified again, trapping cells inside the beads. Next, the cell-containing gelatin beads were coated with another material called agarose, which forms a thin outer shell. ©2026 Ota et al. CC-BY-ND
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©2026 Ota et al. CC-BY-ND
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