Date of Award

2010

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Program

Chemistry

Supervisor

Dr. François Lagugne-Labarthet

Abstract

Cell micropatterning technology has made significant advances in recent years towards the miniaturization and organization of traditional cell culture systems. Surfaces are precisely engineered to present spatially controlled biological cues that direct cells into patterns. Large populations of living cells can therefore be probed under a variety of environments, and has inspired investigations in areas such as cell biology, cell-based biosensors, and tissue engineering. Herein, surface modification techniques were employed to chemically pattern transparent glass substrates and the biological response was assessed. The plasma deposition of a cell-inhibiting fluoropolymer material combined with photolithographic patterning generated a transparent substrate with cell adhesive glass arrays, surrounded by non-adhesive fluoropolymer for convenient cellular analysis. Characterization was performed by optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, contact angle goniometry, FTIR spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Cellular response to various patterns was also examined using optical and fluorescence microscopies to probe cell shape, morphology, and function.

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