Photopatterning of Cell-Adhesive-Modified Poly(ethyleneimine) for Guided Neuronal Growth

Abstract

We describe photopatterning technique that employs the photodegradation of cell-adhesive-modified poly(ethyleneimine) (m-PEI) to fabricate precise micropatterns on the indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate for guided neuronal growth. The photodegradation of m-PEI coated on hydroxyl group-terminated ITO substrate created micropatterns over a large area through deep UV irradiation. The photopatterned m-PEI layer can effectively guide neurite outgrowth and control neurite extensions from individual neurons.

Microspheres for Enzyme Immobilization

“…PEI is well known as a DNA transfection reagent. Its role of an efficient and convenient attachment factor is much less recognized (Baek et al, 2011). PEI is more suitable for adherence of weakly anchoring cells (Vancha et al, 2004).…”

Facile photopatterning of polyfluorene for patterned neuronal networks

“…In FT-IR, characteristic bands of m-PEI coated on ITO substrate, corresponding to N-H stretching and scissoring (broad 3300 cm À1 and 1673 cm À1 ), alkyl C-H (2947-2830 cm À1 ), and Si-O-Si (1132-1050 cm À1 ) stretching were observed. 15 In the crosslinked Br-PF film, the vibrational peaks at 2939 and 2861 cm À1 for the C-H stretch vibrations of the aliphatic side-chain in the fluorene unit and 1612 cm À1 for the aromatic C]C stretch vibration were observed before and after photocrosslinking.…”

“…In our previous work, we fabricated micron-scale patterns from the photodegradation of biocompatible modified-poly (ethyleneimine) (m-PEI) that was chemically bound to the surface of indium tin oxide (ITO). 15 The photopatterned m-PEI layer facilitated the uptake of neuronal cells in the designed pattern and was capable of controlling the neurite outgrowth and extension along the patterned direction. However, it took a relatively long exposure time in fabricating the desired patterns via photodegradation of m-PEI by deep UV (254 nm) irradiation.…”

Fabrication of hexagonally packed cell culture substrates using droplet formation in a T-shaped microfluidic junction

“…By this method, we can actively tune the dimensions of the cell culture substrate by simply adopting different volumetric flow rates of the two immiscible fluids in a microchannel, so it allows rapid experimentation. Hexagonal contact guidance provided by the cell culture substrates in this study can be useful for possible applications on orientation or transformation of fibroblast cells, 30,31 cross-link of nerve cells, 32,33 and formation of liver lobules. 34 Furthermore, the actively tunable feature of our method is very promising for the fabrication of variable-sized ordered substrates for cell culture.…”