Biocompatibility of printed paper-based arrays for 2-D cell cultures

The use of paper-based test platforms in cell culture experiments is demonstrated. The arrays used for two-dimensional cell cultures were prepared by printing patterned structures on a paper substrate using a hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) ink. The non-printed, PDMS-free areas formed the array for the cell growth experiments. Cell imaging was enabled by using a lipophilic staining agent. A set of coated paper substrates was prepared to study the effect of the physicochemical properties of the substrate (topography, roughness and surface energetics) on cell attachment and growth. The studied paper substrates were found to be cell-repellent or cell-supporting. Cell growth was supported by substrates with a large bearing area, low surface area ratio (Sdr), high total surface free energy and an intermediate electron donor surface energy component. The cells were grown to full confluency within 72 h.