Large area micropatterning of cells on polydimethylsiloxane surfaces.
BACKGROUND
Precise spatial control and patterning of cells is an important area of research with numerous applications in tissue engineering, as well as advancing an understanding of fundamental cellular processes. Poly (dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) has long been used as a flexible, biocompatible substrate for cell culture with tunable mechanical characteristics. However, fabrication of suitable physico-chemical barriers for cells on PDMS substrates over large areas is still a challenge.


RESULTS
Here, we present an improved technique which integrates photolithography and cell culture on PDMS substrates wherein the barriers to cell adhesion are formed using the photo-activated graft polymerization of polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEG-DA). PDMS substrates with varying stiffness were prepared by varying the base to crosslinker ratio from 5:1 to 20:1. All substrates show controlled cell attachment confined to fibronectin coated PDMS microchannels with a resistance to non-specific adhesion provided by the covalently immobilized, hydrophilic PEG-DA.


CONCLUSIONS
Using photolithography, it is possible to form patterns of high resolution stable at 37°C over 2 weeks, and microstructural complexity over large areas of a few cm(2). As a robust and scalable patterning method, this technique showing homogenous and stable cell adhesion and growth over macroscales can bring microfabrication a step closer to mass production for biomedical applications.
Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284 USA.
Mahmoud E
ME
Moustafa
Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284 USA.
Venkat S
VS
Gadepalli
Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284 USA.
Ahmed A
AA
Elmak
Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284 USA.
Woomin
W
Lee
Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284 USA.
Raj R
RR
Rao
Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284 USA.
Vamsi K
VK
Yadavalli
Cell micropatterning; Photolithography; Poly (dimethyl siloxane); Poly (ethylene glycol)