title: Methods for the topographical patterning and patterned surface modification of hydrogels based on hydroxyethyl methacrylate.
abstract: Hydrogels have gained broad acceptance as a class of biocompatible materials. In this paper, we report the topographic patterning and regiospecific functionalization of hydrogel surfaces. Both photolithography and soft lithography are combined in a hybrid process to form these topographic features. By functionalization of a base layer surface followed by lithographic patterning steps, it is possible to introduce chemical functions to specific regions of the patterned surface. The model systems investigated were based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), which is well-known for its low toxicity and widespread use in biomedical applications. Tests of Ni-NTA modified hydrogel surfaces showed successful binding of fluorescently labeled proteins to selected regions of the patterned hydrogel surface. These processes can be expanded to a wide range of monomer systems.
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850, USA.
authors.forename: Tianyue
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Christopher K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Ober
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry*; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels; D008689:Methacrylates; D011506:Proteins; C005044:hydroxyethyl methacrylate