Localized Stiffness Programming Enables Tunable Spatial Control of Vascular Density in 3D Hydrogels

Abstract

We report an in-situ light-mediated reinforcement strategy for spatial microvascular patterning. Using laser on AlgMA/fibrin hydrogels, localized stiff zones suppress capillary formation by > 81%. We identified a linear stiffness-density relationship (R 2 > 0.78), transforming qualitative observations into a predictable engineering tool for reconstructing heterogeneous tissue architectures.