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Updated: Apr 6, 2026
Control of Cell Adhesion using Hydrogel Patterning Techniques for Applications in Traction Force Microscopy
Published on: January 29, 2022
Biomimetic honeycomb-patterned surface as the tunable cell adhesion scaffold.
Shuangshuang Chen1, Xuemin Lu, Ying Hu
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composite, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China. qhlu@sjtu.edu.cn xueminlu@sjtu.edu.cn.
Researchers created new bioadhesive surfaces inspired by nature. By controlling the distribution of a zwitterionic polymer on polystyrene honeycomb membrane (PSHCM), they achieved tunable antifouling and cell adhesion properties for biomaterial design.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Adhesion Science
Background:
- Nature provides inspiration for advanced material properties, such as the adhesive mechanisms in fish skin and Parthenocissus tricuspidata.
- Developing controllable bioadhesive surfaces is crucial for advanced biomaterial applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore controllable bioadhesive surfaces by decorating polystyrene honeycomb membrane (PSHCM) with poly(N-(3-Sulfopropyl)-N-(methacryloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium betaine) (polySBMA).
- To investigate how different grafting methods influence the surface properties and bioadhesive behavior.
Main Methods:
- Polystyrene honeycomb membrane (PSHCM) was prepared using the breath figure approach.
- Plasma treatment was used to activate the PSHCM surface.
- PolySBMA was grafted onto the PSHCM via casting and dip-coating techniques.
Main Results:
- Casted PSHCM exhibited a uniform polySBMA layer, mimicking fish skin mucus, and demonstrated excellent antifouling properties.
- Dip-coated PSHCM showed polySBMA aggregation on pore walls, forming structures akin to P. tricuspidata adhesive disks, significantly enhancing cell adhesion.
- The distribution of zwitterionic polymer on the PSHCM surface allowed for tunable bioadhesion.
Conclusions:
- Bioadhesion can be effectively regulated by controlling the zwitterionic polymer distribution on the honeycomb surface.
- This study offers a novel approach for designing biomaterial surfaces with tailored adhesive and antifouling characteristics.
