Directed growth of fibroblasts into three dimensional micropatterned geometries via self-assembling scaffolds

Abstract

We describe the use of conventional photolithography to construct three dimensional (3D) thin film scaffolds and direct the growth of fibroblasts into three distinct and anatomically relevant geometries: cylinders, spirals and bi-directionally folded sheets. The scaffolds were micropatterned as twodimensional sheets which then spontaneously assembled into specific geometries upon release from the underlying substrate. The viability of fibroblasts cultured on these self-assembling scaffolds was verified using fluorescence microscopy; cell morphology and spreading were studied using scanning electron microscopy. We demonstrate control over scaffold size, radius of curvature and folding pitch, thereby enabling an attractive approach for investigating the effects of these 3D geometric factors on cell behaviour.

A Strategy for Depositing Different Types of Cells in Three Dimensions to Mimic Tubular Structures in Tissues

“…[25,26] Existing methods, however, are not directly useful for culturing cells in the context of tissue mimicry because they are comparatively small in size, [27] or they require harsh conditions to form tubes, for example, heating at 58 °C [28] or using hydrochloric acid to etch the metal. [29] Here, an elastic polymer is used as the scaffold and simply stretched to produce stress, so the rolling process could take place at mild conditions [30] (in the cell-culture medium at room temperature, without heating or etching), which makes shape deformation of the scaffold in the presence of attached mammalian cells possible.…”

Graphene‐Based Polymer Bilayers with Superior Light‐Driven Properties for Remote Construction of 3D Structures

“…Finally, planar materials are compatible with a wide range of fabrication techniques. Because of these properties, 2D planar polymer sheets have proven to be promising in the design of flexible biomedical devices,2 3D cell‐laden microstructures,3 self‐assembling microfluidics,4 aerospace structural components,5 deformable batteries,6 and soft robot fabrication 7…”

Microchemomechanical Systems

“…For example, bidirectional sheets could be loaded with 7700 times their weight without rupture, [ 113 ] and anatomically relevant structures were self-assembled and served as scaffolds for cell culture. [ 115 ] In addition, these geometrically programmable sheets can be precisely patterned with heterogeneous materials to enable the construction of periodic metamaterials. The incorporation of chemomechanically actuating hinges within large integrated [ 112 ] d-e) Experimental results of bidirectional origami used to spontaneously assemble complex microscale cubic cores.…”