Superporous hydrogel with cells encapsulated therein and method for producing the same

1. A superporous hydrogel matrix produced by combining cells with a hydrogel precursor solution and initiator; and adding a chemical foaming agent, or compressed air or nitrogen, so that a superporous hydrogel having an average pore size of 10 to 3000 μm and a porosity of 50 to 90% is produced, wherein said superporous hydrogel matrix has cells encapsulated therein.

2. The superporous hydrogel matrix of claim 1 , wherein the matrix comprises a synthetic hydrophilic polymer.

3. The superporous hydrogel matrix of claim 2 , wherein the synthetic hydrophilic polymer is poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate.

4. The superporous hydrogel matrix of claim 1 , wherein the matrix comprises a foam stabilizer.

5. The superporous hydrogel matrix of claim 4 , wherein the foam stabilizer comprises a (poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) tri-block copolymer.

6. The superporous hydrogel matrix of claim 1 , further comprising a cross-linked hydrophilic agent.

7. The superporous hydrogel matrix of claim 6 , wherein the cross-linked hydrophilic agent is selected from the group of sodium alginate, pectin, chitosan, and (polyvinyl) alcohol.

8. The superporous hydrogel matrix of claim 1 , further comprising a cell adhesive molecule.

9. The superporous hydrogel matrix of claim 8 , wherein the cell adhesive molecule is selected from the group of fibronectin, laminin, vitronectin, and integrin binding peptide.

10. The superporous hydrogel matrix of claim 1 , further comprising one or more therapeutic agents.

11. The superporous hydrogel matrix of claim 1 , further comprising cells within the hydrogel pores.