Micropatterning of cultured cells on polystyrene surface by using an excimer laser

Abstract
Micropatterning of cultured cells on the surface of polystyrene was formed using a 248 nm KrF excimer laser and less than 10 pulses. Adhesion and proliferation of NG 108‐15 neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells were good on the oxygen plasma treated polystyrene (O‐PSt) surface, but poor on the PSt surface. The surfaces were characterized with a surface profiler, scanning electron microscopy, contact angle microscopy, and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. When the laser ablation was carried out on a masked O‐PSt surface, a patterned surface architecture and the micropattern of cultured cells were clearly obtained. A positive cell pattern was also achieved on the PSt surface by laser modification.