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Updated: May 2, 2026
PDMS Device Fabrication and Surface Modification
Published on: October 1, 2007
Small molecule-folic acid modification on nanopatterned PDMS and investigation on its surface property
Yuanyuan Hu1, Binjie Ma, Yingying Zhang
1Institute of Microanalytical Systems, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
Abstract:
Folic acid (or folate, FA) has attracted considerable attention for cancer therapy. As one small molecule, its receptor (folate receptor, FR) is significantly overexpressed on the surface of many human tumor cells compared with normal cells. In this work, physical and chemical coupled modification method, that is the combination of nanoimprinting technique and graft polymerization, was adopted to modify FA on nanopatterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface for possible application in micro-nanofluidic cytology. The surface property of differently treated PDMS was characterized by FTIR, AFM and contact angle measurement. AO/PI double staining, cell counting and MTT method were performed to examine the potential influence of FA modified nanopatterned PDMS on human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cell behavior. Both FA modification and nanostructure have positive effect on the growth and viability of HeLa cells. It is the first time that the small molecule-folic acid was used to immobilize on the surface of PDMS in order to improve its surface property.
Insights
This study modified polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surfaces with folic acid (FA) and nanostructures. The modified PDMS enhanced the growth and viability of human cervical carcinoma cells, showing promise for cancer therapy applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Folic acid (FA) and its receptor (FR) are crucial in cancer therapy due to FR's overexpression on tumor cells.
- Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a common material in microfluidics, but its surface properties can be limiting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for modifying PDMS surfaces with folic acid (FA) using a coupled nanoimprinting and graft polymerization technique.
- To investigate the impact of FA-modified nanopatterned PDMS on the behavior of human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells for micro-nanofluidic cytology applications.
Main Methods:
- Combined nanoimprinting and graft polymerization to immobilize FA onto nanopatterned PDMS.
- Surface characterization using FTIR, AFM, and contact angle measurements.
- Assessed HeLa cell behavior using AO/PI staining, cell counting, and MTT assays.
Main Results:
- FA modification and nanostructure on PDMS surfaces positively influenced HeLa cell growth and viability.
- The study demonstrated the successful immobilization of FA on PDMS to enhance surface properties.
- Characterization confirmed successful surface modification and nanostructure formation.
Conclusions:
- FA-modified nanopatterned PDMS surfaces enhance the growth and viability of human cervical carcinoma cells.
- This novel surface modification technique offers potential for improved micro-nanofluidic devices in cancer research and diagnostics.
- This represents the first instance of using folic acid immobilization on PDMS to improve its surface characteristics for biological applications.
