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).This research program focuses on developing novel methods to create micro- and nanostructured materials for the study of biomolecular and cell-surface interactions and demonstrating the utility of these methods through proof-of-concept applications. Our research will solve critical limitations of current fabrication methods, including (a) the lack of facile methods to fabricate structured surfaces with features tuneable in the micro- to nanometer scale, (b) the inability to deposit biomaterials (i.e. biomolecules and cells) in complex patterns, and (c) the inability to pattern multiple biomaterials that cannot tolerate drying. We anticipate that in the long-term the ability to pattern biomaterials, particularly cells, in complex distributions under aqueous environments will facilitate the study of cell-cell interactions that are critical to cellular function and fate within tissues. Overall, the outcomes of the proposed research will help generate knowledge on biological systems, provide a multidisciplinary environment that offers unique opportunities for training HQP, and will establish a cutting-edge research program.