title: Pattern stability under cell culture conditions--a comparative study of patterning methods based on PLL-g-PEG background passivation.
abstract: Despite the rapidly increasing number of publications on the fabrication and use of micro-patterns for cell studies, comparatively little is know about the long-term stability of such patterns under cell culture conditions. Here, we report on the long-term stability of cellular patterns created by three different patterning techniques: selective molecular assembly patterning, micro-contact printing and molecular assembly patterning by lift-off. We demonstrate that although all three techniques were combined with the same background passivation chemistry based on assembly of a PEG-graft copolymer, there are considerable differences in the long-term stability between the three different pattern types under cell culture conditions. Our results suggest that these differences are not cell-dependent but are due to different (substrate-dependent) interactions between the patterned substrate, the passivating molecule and the serum containing cellular medium.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH and University of Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jost W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lussi
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Falconnet
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hubbell
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Textor
authors.forename: Gabor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Csucs
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D008239:Lysine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D008239:Lysine