title: Transparent micro- and nanopatterned poly(lactic acid) for biomedical applications.
abstract: The formation of structures in poly(lactic acid) has been investigated with respect to producing areas of regular, superficial features with dimensions comparable to those of cells or biological macromolecules. Nanoembossing, a novel method of pattern replication in polymers, has been used for the production of features ranging from tens of micrometers, covering areas up to 1 cm(2), down to hundreds of nanometers. Both micro- and nanostructures are faithfully replicated. Contact-angle measurements suggest that positive microstructuring of the polymer (where features protrude from the polymer surface) produces a more hydrophilic surface than negative microstructuring. The ability to structure the surface of the poly(lactic acid), allied to the polymer's postprocessing transparency and proven biocompatibility, means that thin films produced in this way will be useful for bioengineers studying the interaction of micro- and nanodimensioned features with biological specimen, with regard to tissue engineering, for example.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Reference for Bioengineering in Catalonia, CREBEC, Laboratory of Nanobioengineering, Barcelona Science Park, C/Josep Samitier 1-5, 08028 Barcelona, Spain. cmills@pcb.ub.es
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: Melba
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Navarro
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Maria Pau
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Ginebra
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Planell
authors.forename: Abdelhamid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Errachid
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Samitier
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002460:Cell Line; D019344:Lactic Acid; D036103:Nanotechnology; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)