Novel cell patterning using microheater‐controlled thermoresponsive plasma films

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Abstract
A novel approach is reported for cell patterning based on addressable microheaters and a poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) (pNIPAM) themoresponsive coating. This thermoresponsive coating is created by a radio frequency NIPAM plasma and is denoted as plasma polymerized NIPAM (ppNIPAM). Films of ppNIPAM with a good retention of monomer side‐chain functionality are produced using low‐power continuous plasma deposition. Cell adhesion and cell detachment tests indicate that the surface switches between adhesive and nonadhesive behaviors as a function of temperature. The use of a photolithographically fabricated microheater array allows the ppNIPAM transition to occur spatially under the control of individual heaters. This localized change in the surface adhesive behavior is used to direct site‐specific cell attachment. Patterned adhesion of two types of cells has been visualized on the array through fluorescent markers. Applications for diagnostic devices, cell‐based sensors, tissue engineering, and cell transfection are envisioned. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 70A: 159–168, 2004
Funding Information
  • NSF-Engineering Research Center program (ERC-9529161)
  • NIH (RR-01296)