4D printing smart culture substrate for cell growth
AssigneeThe George Washington University
InventorsShida Miao, Haitao Cui, Lijie Grace Zhang
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Abstract
Disclosed herein is a 4D printed programmable culture substrate with the self-morphing ability to accommodate the change in morphology of stem cells during differentiation. The 4D printed culture substrate includes a shape memory polymer that is configured for transformation from a first topographical shape to a second topographical shape during a predetermined time period in response to a stimulus, such as temperature. The first topographical shape may include micro-wells and the second topographical shape may include microgrooves, which can accommodate the growth and differentiation of neural stem cells.
Claims20
A substrate for cell growth comprising a shape memory polymer having a first topographical shape, said shape memory polymer configured for transformation from the first topographical shape to a predetermined second topographical shape during a predetermined time period in response to a stimulus, each of the first topographical shape and the second topographical shape comprising exposed portions of the substrate.
A system for cell growth comprising a 4D printed culture substrate comprising a shape memory polymer that is configured for transformation from a first topographical shape to a second topographical shape during a predetermined time period in response to a stimulus.
A method of producing a 4D printed culture substrate system comprising:
- fabricating a 4D printed culture substrate via extrusion to form a second topographical shape of the 4D printed culture substrate;
- and thermomechanical reprogramming of the 4D printed culture substrate to form the first topographical shape of the 4D printed culture substrate.
A method of using a 4D printed culture substrate system comprising:
- obtaining a 4D printed culture substrate system having a first topographical shape comprising of micro-wells which is maintained at from about 23° C. to 25° C.;
- and
- culturing cells on the micro-wells of the 4D printed culture substrate system under standard cell culture conditions, wherein the 4D printed culture substrate undergoes a transformation of topographical shape during the said period from micro-wells to micro-grooves.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.