title: Nanostructured conducting polymers for stiffness controlled cell adhesion.
abstract: We propose a facile and reproducible method, based on ultra thin porous alumina membranes, to produce cm(2) ordered arrays of nano-pores and nano-pillars on any kind of substrates. In particular our method enables the fabrication of conducting polymers nano-structures, such as poly[3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene]:poly[styrene sulfonate] (
  PSS). Here, we demonstrate the potential interest of those templates with controlled cell adhesion studies. The triggering of the eventual fate of the cell (proliferation, death, differentiation or migration) is mediated through chemical cues from the adsorbed proteins and physical cues such as surface energy, stiffness and topography. Interestingly, as well as through material properties, stiffness modifications can be induced by nano-topography, the ability of nano-pillars to bend defining an effective stiffness. By controlling the diameter, length, depth and material of the nano-structures, one can possibly tune the effective stiffness of a (nano) structured substrate. First results indicate a possible change in the fate of living cells on such nano-patterned devices, whether they are made of conducting polymer (soft material) or silicon (hard material).
authors.affiliation: Centre Microélectronique de Provence, Department of Bioelectronics, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Saint Etienne, 880 route de Mimet, F-13541 Gardanne, France. CNRS-Aix-Marseille University, CINaM, F-13288 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moyen
authors.forename: Adel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hama
authors.forename: Esma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ismailova
authors.forename: Loic
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Assaud
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Malliaras
authors.forename: Margrit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hanbücken
authors.forename: Roisin M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Owens