The invention relates to photo-crosslinkable microcapsules with enhanced properties for encapsulation of bioactive substances. The present invention also relates to a microencapsulation composition and to a method of manufacturing microcapsules. The microcapsule comprise bioactive substances that are encapsulated by a selectively permeable polymeric membrane. The selectively permeable membrane is impermeable to immune system components associated with immune rejection in an animal. A monomer of the selectively permeable polymeric membrane includes a photosensitive cross-linking agent having a cinnamoyl moiety.