MULTI-LAYERED CELL CAPSULES AND USES THEREOF

The present invention provides a hydrogel capsule comprising a cell, a protein, and a cross-linking agent; wherein the cell is within a first core layer comprising the protein; and wherein the first core layer is surrounded by a second layer comprising the protein and the cross-linking agent. The invention further provides the hydrogel capsule for use in therapy, prognosis and diagnosis, a method for culturing cells, a method for differentiating cells, and method for producing the hydrogel capsule. The hydrogel capsules of the invention are particularly useful for encapsulating pancreatic islets.