Micropatterning of living cells on a heterogeneously wetted surface.
We report a simple approach to fabricate heterogeneously wetted surfaces which can be used to pattern living cells or biomolecules. An array of pedestals composed of SU-8 was fabricated on a glass surface which was then derivatized with a hydrophobic silane. Upon addition of aqueous solutions to the array, air was trapped within the hydrophobic cavities between the pedestals. The trapped air formed a "virtual wall" blocking access to these cavities. Cells cultured on the array were forced to grow only on the tops of the pedestals, i.e., the surfaces wetted by aqueous media. The virtual walls were stable during manipulation of the array and over long time periods (months).
Wang
Yuli
Y
Integrated Nanosystems Research Facility and Departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, USA.
Sims
Christopher E
CE
Marc
Paul
P
Bachman
Mark
M
Li
G P
GP
Allbritton
Nancy L
NL
D000388:Air; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry; D006367:HeLa Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D016062:Porosity; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D017155:Wettability
D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D011108:Polymers; C520895:SU-8 compound; D014867:Water