title: Characterization and quantification of biological micropatterns using Cluster-SIMS.
abstract: Micropatterning is used widely in biosensor development, tissue engineering and basic biology. Creation of biological micropatterns typically involves multiple sequential steps that may lead to cross-contamination and may contribute to sub-optimal performance of the surface. Therefore, there is a need to develop novel strategies for characterizing location-specific chemical composition of biological micropatterns. In this paper, C(60) (+) ToF-SIMS operating in the event-by-event bombardment-detection mode was used for spatially resolved chemical analysis of micropatterned indium tin oxide (ITO) surfaces. Fabrication of the micropatterns involved multiple steps including self-assembly of poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG)-silane, patterning of photoresist, treatment with oxygen plasma and adsorption of collagen (I). The ITO surfaces were analyzed with 26 keV C(60) (+)SIMS run in the event-by-event bombardment-detection mode at different steps of the modification process. We were able to evaluate the extent of cross-contamination between different steps and quantify coverage of the immobilized species. The methodology described here provides a novel means for characterizing the composition of biological micropatterns in a quantitative and spatially-resolved manner.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Li-Jung
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Sunny S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Stanislav V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Verkhoturov
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Revzin
authors.forename: Emile A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Schweikert