Biomimetic tissue scaffold and methods of making and using same

A method for making a three-dimensional biomimetic scaffold capable of supporting growth of a cell, the method comprising the steps of:

• filling at least a portion of a three-dimensional shape formed in a first mold with a first polymerizable compound;
• causing said first polymerizable compound to polymerize to form a second mold, wherein at least a portion of said second mold comprises a first structure, said first structure being complementary to said three-dimensional shape;
• removing said second mold from said first mold;
• using said second mold to form a third mold from a second polymerizable compound;
• removing said third mold from said second mold;
• and
• using said third mold to form a three-dimensional scaffold from a third polymerizable compound, wherein said three-dimensional scaffold is complementary to said three-dimensional shape.

A system for making a three-dimensional biomimetic scaffold capable of supporting growth of a cell, the system comprising:

• a first mold comprising a three-dimensional shape;
• a second mold formed from said first mold using a first polymerizable compound;
• and
• a third mold formed from said second mold using a second polymerizable compound, wherein said third mold is configured to form a three-dimensional scaffold complementary to said three-dimensional shape.

A method for making an intestinal reactor, the method comprising the steps of:

• forming a biomimetic scaffold comprising a plurality of villi;
• seeding at least one of said villi with a cell;
• and
• forming a hollow tube from said seeded biomimetic scaffold, said hollow tube having an interior surface and an exterior surface.