Patterning of fragile or non-planar surfaces for cell alignment
AssigneeThe Trustees of Princeton University
InventorsJeffrey Schwartz, Joshua Spechler, Romain Fardel, Kelly Lim
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Abstract
A construct that supports cell attachment and alignment including a substrate that is incompatible with photolithography conditions, containing a physical pattern in at least part of one surface, the physical pattern optionally bearing a coating of a metal alkoxide, oxide or mixed oxide-alkoxide thereon and a Self-Assembled Monolayer of Phosphonate (SAMP) covalently attached thereto, which phosphonate contains functionality adapted for cell binding. The construct optionally also contains cells attached thereto. Also disclosed are methods of preparing such a construct.
Claims37
A polymeric substrate, wherein at least a portion of said substrate comprises a fragile material or a material from which photoresist developed on the surface thereof cannot be removed without impairing the intended purpose of said substrate, said material comprising raised surfaces in the form of a pattern that is configured to attach tissue cells and direct their growth in alignment.
A method of patterning a surface of a polymeric substrate which is fragile or is a material from which photoresist developed on the surface thereof cannot be removed without impairing the intended purpose of said substrate, comprising the steps of
- a) providing a shadow mask comprising a plurality of openings defining a pattern,
- b) contacting the shadow mask with a surface of said polymeric substrate to form a masked substrate,
- c) applying pressure to the shadow mask surface of the masked substrate under conditions effective to emboss the substrate surface with the pattern defined by said mask, and
- d) removing the mask to reveal a patterned polymeric surface.
A method of preparing a construct which supports cell attachment and alignment, said method comprising:
- a) providing a substrate formed from a fragile material or a material from which photoresist developed on the surface thereof cannot be removed without impairing the intended purpose of said substrate;
- b) preparing a shadow mask template consisting of a material which is adherent to said substrate such that the peel strength therebetween is less than the tensile strength of either of said shadow mask or the substrate material;
- and
- c) adhering said shadow mask template to said substrate to form a substrate-mask ensemble, wherein said shadow mask comprises a pattern of openings that expose portions of said substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.