Development of Multi Scale Structured Al/Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> Nanowires for Controlled Cell Guidance

Abstract

Cell responses to surface and contact cell guidance are of great interest in bio-applications especially on nano- and micro scale features. Recently we showed selective cell responses on Al/Al2O3, bi-phasic nanowires (NWs). In this context, Al/Al2O3 NWs were synthesized by the chemical vapor deposition of (tBuOAIH2)2. Afterwards, linear periodic nano- and micro structured NWs were formed using laser interference lithography (LIL) technique to study the contact guidance of neurons from rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG), human umbilical vein smooth muscle cells (HUVSMC), human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human osteoblast (HOB). LIL treatment did not alter surface chemistry of NWs. From our preliminary research LIL patterned NWs lead to alignment of axons contrary to non-patterned NWs. Morphology of HUVSMC changed from poly- to linear shapes and strong alignment was observed while HUVEC and HOB were not affected.

Tailored Fringed Platforms Produced by Laser Interference for Aligned Neural Cell Growth

“…This effect has been also reported for aligned nanostructured materials, as well as gratings of nanometer dimensions with human‐induced pluripotent stem cells and human embryonic stem cells . When considering neural cells, Lee et al have already described the use of linear periodic nano‐ and micro‐structured Al/Al 2 O 3 nanowires to guide rat dorsal root ganglion neurons . In the particular scenario of neural interfaces, evidences are being reported on the beneficial effects of topographical cues on the tissue response and performance of implantable electrode devices …”

“…[7,8] When considering neural cells, Lee et al have already described the use of linear periodic nano-and micro-structured Al/Al 2 O 3 nanowires to guide rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. [9] In the particular scenario of neural interfaces, evidences are being reported on the beneficial effects of topographical cues on the tissue response and performance of implantable electrode devices. [10,11] The attractive properties of graphene and its derivatives for biomedical applications have fueled their exploration as versatile platforms to promote neural cell alignment and cell differentiation processes.…”

“…One way to overcome these problems while preserving high reproducibility and versatility is the use of lithographic approaches. [4,6,7,9,23] However, they are generally multistep processes that are costly and time consuming. [24] A different approach that has been recently proposed and successfully applied to graphene is the combination of ultrashort laser pulses with a digital micromirror device.…”

Microstructured Multilevel Bacterial Cellulose Allows the Guided Growth of Neural Stem Cells

“…Neurite guidance could be achieved by many different surface topographies and materials. So aluminum oxide surfaces can be structured by laser technologies and used to guide osteoblasts or neurite outgrowth . The advantage of the BC approach is not only the versatility of the material that can be adapted to in vivo conditions, where the scaffolds have to follow either surface (skin) or intrinsic (nerves) topographies, but also the fact that it can easily be reproduced and manufactured in huge numbers in a relatively short time.…”

Structure and Conductance of Aluminum Nanocontacts Studied by <I>In Situ</I> High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] In particular, metallic NCs exhibit features of ballistic conduction and the quantization of conductance defined by a quantum unit (G 0 = 2e 2 /h, where e is the charge of electron and h is Planck's constant). 8 Studies in this field have been intensively conducted on gold NCs because these features clearly emerge.…”