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Rapid fabrication of functionalised poly(dimethylsiloxane) microwells for cell aggregate formation
A Forget1, A L S Burzava2, B Delalat3
1Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia and Cooperative Research Centre for Cell Therapy Manufacturing (CRC-CTM), Adelaide 5000, Australia.
Biomaterials Science
|March 10, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed a new method to create functionalized poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microwell arrays for studying insulin-producing beta cell aggregates. This technique enables efficient screening of factors influencing cell aggregate formation and function.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Tissue Engineering
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cell aggregates mimic natural tissue architecture, serving as valuable in vitro models for tissue function.
- Developing efficient methods for creating controlled cell aggregates is crucial for tissue engineering and drug screening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid and site-specific functionalization method for poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microwell arrays.
- To promote the formation and study of insulin-producing beta cell (MIN6) aggregates.
- To enable rapid screening of biological factors influencing MIN6 aggregate formation and stability.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of PDMS microwell arrays using an ice templating technique.
- Site-specific inner surface functionalization of microwells using aqueous alkali hydroxide solutions.
- Tailoring microwell shape and profile by manipulating surface wettability via plasma polymer coating.
- Coating microwells with various biomolecules (Pluronic 123, BSA, collagen IV, IGF-2) to assess MIN6 aggregate formation and stability.
Main Results:
- Successful fabrication of functionalized PDMS microwell arrays promoting MIN6 aggregate formation.
- Demonstrated selective absorption of biological factors within microwells due to site-specific functionalization.
- MIN6 aggregates formed in tailored microwells retained insulin expression.
- The platform allows for investigation of factors influencing aggregate formation and stability.
Conclusions:
- The developed ice templating and functionalization technique offers an efficient and rapid method for creating PDMS microwell arrays.
- This platform facilitates the study of insulin-producing cell aggregates and the screening of biological factors without complex micromachining.
- The method holds potential for advancing research in diabetes and beta cell biology.
