No abstract

αvβ3 integrin-mediated cell adhesion is crucially influenced by how far ligands are spaced apart. To evaluate the impact of local ligand density versus global ligand density of a given surface we used synthetic micro-nanostructured cell environments with user-defined ligand spacing and patterns to investigate cellular adhesion. The development of stable focal adhesions, their number and size as well as the cellular adhesion strength proved to be influenced by local more than global ligand density.

This comprehensive overview of block copolymer micelle nanolithography (BCMN) will discuss the synthesis of inorganic nanoparticle arrays by means of micellar diblock copolymer approach and the resulting experimental control of individual structural parameters of the nanopattern, e.g., particle density and particle size. Furthermore, the authors will present a combinational approach of BCMN with conventional fabrication methods, namely, photolithography and electron beam lithography, which combines the advantages of high-resolution micronanopatterning with fast sample processing rates. In addition, the authors will demonstrate how these nanoparticle assemblies can be transferred to polymer substrates with a wide range of elasticity. In the second part of this report the authors will introduce some of the most intriguing applications of BCMN in biology and materials science: The authors will demonstrate how nanoparticle arrays may be used as anchor points to pattern functional proteins with single molecule resolution for studying cellular adhesion and present a technological roadmap to high-performance nanomaterials by highlighting recent applications for biomimetic optics and nanowires.