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Molding Micropatterns of Elasticity on PEG‐Based Hydrogels to Control Cell Adhesion and Migration
Author(s) -
Diez Mar,
Schulte Vera A.,
Stefai Filippo,
Natale Carlo F.,
Mollica Francesco,
Cesa Claudia M.,
Chen Jingyu,
Möller Martin,
Netti Paolo A.,
Ventre Maurizio,
Lensen Marga C.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
advanced engineering materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.938
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1527-2648
pISSN - 1438-1656
DOI - 10.1002/adem.201080122
Subject(s) - self healing hydrogels , materials science , capillary action , lithography , elasticity (physics) , adhesive , soft lithography , polymer , curing (chemistry) , composite material , molding (decorative) , photolithography , nanotechnology , polymer chemistry , optoelectronics , fabrication , medicine , alternative medicine , layer (electronics) , pathology
We present an innovative and simple, soft UV lithographic method “FIll‐Molding In Capillaries” (FIMIC) that combines soft lithography with capillary force driven filling of micro‐channels to create smooth hydrogel substrates with a 2D micro‐pattern on the surface. The lithographic procedure involves the molding of a polymer; in our case a bulk PEG‐based hydrogel, via UV‐curing from a microfabricated silicon master. The grooves of the created regular line pattern are consequently filled with a second hydrogel by capillary action. As a result, a smooth surface is obtained with a well‐defined pattern design of the two different polymers on its surface. The FIMIC method is very versatile; the only prerequisite is that the second material is liquid before curing in order to enable the filling process. In this specific case we present the proof of principle of this method by applying two hydrogels which differ in their crosslinking density and therefore in their elasticity. Preliminary cell culture studies on the fabricated elasticity patterned hydrogels indicate the preferred adhesion of the cells to the stiffer regions of the substrates, which implies that the novel substrates are a very useful platform for systematic cell migration studies, e.g. more fundamental investigation of the concept of “durotaxis”.