A switchable light-responsive azopolymer conjugating protein micropatterns with topography for mechanobiological studies.

ABSTRACT: Stem cell shape and mechanical properties in vitro can be directed by geometrically defined micropatterned adhesion substrates. However, conventional methods are limited by the fixed micropattern design, which cannot recapitulate the dynamic changes of the natural cell microenvironment. Current methods to fabricate dynamic platforms usually rely on complex chemical strategies or require specialized apparatuses. Also, with these methods, the integration of dynamic signals acting on different length scales is not straightforward, whereas, in some applications, it might be beneficial to act on both a microscale level, that is, cell shape, and a nanoscale level, that is, cell adhesions. Here, we exploited a confocal laser-based technique on a light-responsive azopolymer displaying micro

SUBMITTER: Cimmino C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9355574 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature