Self-assembled monolayer based micropatterns and their application in cell patterning

Abstract

Microcontact printing using Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs) is a simple, yet powerful soft lithography technique and has extensive applications in micro- and nanofabrication. In this project, micropatterns of dot array and gratings are fabricated using SAM-based microcontact printing, followed by coating of rare-earth nanoparticles. While the prime focus of this project is on pattern construction, cell attachment and viability are also investigated on these patterns, demonstrating an application of microcontact printing. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) are used to analyze patterns, and phase-contrast microscopy reveals cell adhesion behavior on these patterns. The results show that micropatterns of dot array and grating are successfully fabricated, with the shape of dot array being more perfectly reproduced than that of the grating. Both types of micropatterns enable good cell adhesion behavior, exhibiting their biocompatibility, and hence, emphasizing their potential for numerous applications in biomedical devices.