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IRG 2. Machine Learning-Enhanced Design and Automated Assembly of Architected Microgels and Vesicles for Biotechnology

Lead: David J. Mooney
Co-Lead: David A. Weitz

Primary Faculty Participants: Joanna Aizenberg, Katia Bertoldi, Michael P. Brenner, Jennifer A. Lewis, David R. Nelson, Kevin (Kit) Parker, and Zhigang Suo

Three collaborative Interdisciplinary Research Groups: ML/AE characterization, synthesis and assembly of architected particles, and biotech applications
Three collaborative Interdisciplinary Research Groups: ML/AE characterization, synthesis and assembly of architected particles, and biotech applications
Figure 1. IRG 2 establishes the fundamental knowledge required to guide the design, discovery, and development of architected microgels and vesicles with emergent properties for biotechnology applications.


This IRG is creating the fundamental knowledge required to guide the design, discovery, and development of architected microgels and vesicles with controlled composition, structure, and properties, including their ability to assemble/disassemble on demand. Our team’s research will advance biotechnology by creating architected soft matter for cell encapsulation, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and biofabrication using an automated manufacturing platform based on ultra-high throughput, droplet microfluidics.

o carry out the research, this IRG brings together a multidisciplinary research team composed of nine faculty members from applied mathematics, bioengineering, materials chemistry, physics, and mechanical engineering with deep expertise in machine learning (Brenner), microfluidics (Weitz), synthesis and assembly (Mooney, Aizenberg, Lewis, Parker, Suo), bioprinting (Lewis, Parker), characterization (Aizenberg, Lewis, Mooney, Suo), and theory (Nelson) to carry out research across three interwoven goals (Figure 2).

  1. ML/AE characterization: ML-enhanced, ultra-high throughput microfluidic platform will be developed to rapidly characterize the mechanical properties of individual microgels and vesicles.
  2. Synthesis and assembly of architected particles: Architected microgels and vesicles will be generated via droplet microfluidics, soft lithography, or fiber spinning.
  3. Architected microgels and vesicles for biotech applications: Architected microgels, vesicles, and their assemblies will be produced for biotechnology applications ranging from cell encapsulation and enzyme screening to drug delivery and bioprinting.