Princeton University

Joshua Spechler

Jeffrey J Schwartz

Craig B Arnold

Stephen B Bandini

Kelly Lim

Romain Fardel

Polymeric substrates, optionally in sheet form, treated with a thin layer of photoresist are perforated by laser ablation. Following removal of the photoresist the polymer substrates perforated with holes are patterned in stripes by photolithography, which is followed by synthesis of a cell-adhesive organometallic/self-assembled monolayer of phosphonate (SAMP) interface in the exposed regions, providing well-aligned continuous stripes for various levels of perforation. Cells plated on each of these 2-dimensional (2D) perforated surfaces attach to the interface and spread in alignment with pattern fidelity that is as high as that measured on a non-perforated, patterned substrate. A stack of such 2D patterned polymers yields a 3-dimensional (3D) device which facilitates cell growth and viability via the perforations.

Three-dimensional (3D) tissue scaffold with cell alignment

A construct that supports cell attachment and alignment including a substrate that is incompatible with photolithography conditions, containing a physical pattern in at least part of one surface, the physical pattern optionally bearing a coating of a metal alkoxide, oxide or mixed oxide-alkoxide thereon and a Self-Assembled Monolayer of Phosphonate (SAMP) covalently attached thereto, which phosphonate contains functionality adapted for cell binding. The construct optionally also contains cells attached thereto. Also disclosed are methods of preparing such a construct.

Growing community of inventors

Cherry Hill, NJ, United States of America

Joshua Spechler