Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 26, 2026

Control of Cell Adhesion using Hydrogel Patterning Techniques for Applications in Traction Force Microscopy
Published on: January 29, 2022
Surface Patterning of Gold Nanoparticles on PEG-Based Hydrogels to Control Cell Adhesion
Fang Ren1, Cigdem Yesildag2, Zhenfang Zhang3,4
1Nanopatterned Biomaterials, Technische Universität Berlin, Sekr. TC 1, Strasse des 17. Juni 124, Berlin 10623, Germany. renfang_ark@hotmail.com.
Abstract:
We report on a versatile and easy approach to micro-pattern gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) on 8-arm poly(ethylene glycol)-vinyl sulfone thiol (8PEG-VS-SH) hydrogels, and the application of these patterned Au NPs stripes in controlling cell adhesion. Firstly, the Au NPs were patterned on silicon wafers, and then they were transferred onto reactive, multifunctional 8PEG-VS-SH hydrogels. The patterned, micrometer-sized Au NPs stripes with variable spacings ranging from 20 μm to 50 μm were created by our recently developed micro-contact deprinting method. For this micro-contact deprinting approach, four different PEG-based stamp materials have been tested and it was found that the triblock copolymer PEG-PPG-PEG-(3BC) stamp established the best transfer efficiency and has been used in the ongoing work. After the successful creation of micro-patterns of Au NPs stripes on silicon, the patterns can be transferred conveniently and accurately to 8PEG-VS-SH hydrogel films. Subsequently these Au NPs patterns on 8PEG-VS-SH hydrogels have been investigated in cell culture with murine fibroblasts (L-929). The cells have been observed to adhere to and spread on those nano-patterned micro-lines in a remarkably selective and ordered manner.
More Related Videos
05:51Large Area Substrate-Based Nanofabrication of Controllable and Customizable Gold Nanoparticles Via Capped Dewetting
Published on: February 26, 2019
09:09Synthesis of Aptamer-PEI-g-PEG Modified Gold Nanoparticles Loaded with Doxorubicin for Targeted Drug Delivery
Published on: June 23, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Adhesion
Capillary action is a result of water’s adhesive tendencies. When a narrow...
Cell Adhesion in Plants
Pectins are complex heteropolymers mainly composed of negatively-charged α-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid and some neutral glycosyl residues such as α-L-rhamnopyranose, α-L-arabinofuranose,...
Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
Cell-surface Signaling
Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved...
The Cell Cycle Control System
Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are the primary cell cycle regulators and...