Structured materials for the study of biomolecular and cell-substrate interactions

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Micro- and nanoscale surface properties (e.g., topography, biochemical function) play a critical role in biomolecular and cellular interactions in vivo. The combination of topographical features and spatial distribution of biochemical cues encountered in biological niches drive cells to adhere, proliferate, express certain phenotypes, and differentiate into specific cell lineages. To study relevant biological interactions in vitro, methods are needed to create artificial microenvironments that mimic natural ones through topography (size and periodicity of surface structures) and the spatial distribution of biomaterials. Over the past decade, microfabrication approaches have been developed to create structured materials that convey biological function through topography or patterns of biomaterials. Despite the success of these approaches, key limitations exist that prevent their use in the rapid creation of structured surfaces with tuneable features and in the formation of patterns of biomaterials that cannot tolerate drying (e.g., cells and lipids).