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High‐Aspect‐Ratio Nanostructured Surfaces as Biological Metamaterials
Author(s) -
Higgins Stuart G.,
Becce Michele,
BelessiotisRichards Alexis,
Seong Hyejeong,
Sero Julia E.,
Stevens Molly M.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201903862
Subject(s) - nanotechnology , interfacing , nanostructure , materials science , metamaterial , nanoscopic scale , aspect ratio (aeronautics) , interface (matter) , biomimetics , computer science , optoelectronics , wetting , computer hardware , composite material , sessile drop technique
Abstract Materials patterned with high‐aspect‐ratio nanostructures have features on similar length scales to cellular components. These surfaces are an extreme topography on the cellular level and have become useful tools for perturbing and sensing the cellular environment. Motivation comes from the ability of high‐aspect‐ratio nanostructures to deliver cargoes into cells and tissues, access the intracellular environment, and control cell behavior. These structures directly perturb cells' ability to sense and respond to external forces, influencing cell fate, and enabling new mechanistic studies. Through careful design of their nanoscale structure, these systems act as biological metamaterials, eliciting unusual biological responses. While predominantly used to interface eukaryotic cells, there is growing interest in nonanimal and prokaryotic cell interfacing. Both experimental and theoretical studies have attempted to develop a mechanistic understanding for the observed behaviors, predominantly focusing on the cell–nanostructure interface. This review considers how high‐aspect‐ratio nanostructured surfaces are used to both stimulate and sense biological systems.