Fibroblast Morphology, Adhesion, and Proliferation over Bio Mimetically Patterned Surfaces

Surface functionalization strategies to replicate extracellular matrix (ECM) properties often rely on chemical modification. However, issues such as cytotoxicity, poor degradation control, and sensitivity to physiological conditions limit their applicability in long-term and translational contexts. To address this, we report a material-independent, chemically inert approach that uses biomimetic surface topographies to direct cell behavior using physical cues alone. While natural surfaces offer a wealth of hierarchical micro/nano architectures, the functional distinctions among topographies derived from different phenotypes of the same biological origin remain underexplored. Here, we present a systematic comparison of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) replicas inspired by lotus leaves, red rose petals, and yellow rose petals to examine their influence on fibroblast behavior. Using soft lithography and UV-assisted replication, we fabricate high-fidelity surfaces and characterize them via atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cellular responses were assessed through proliferation assays, morphological analysis, fluorescence imaging, and mechanosensing behavior. Our results reveal that each surface elicits distinct cell-substrate interaction profiles, with the yellow rose petal-inspired topography showing superior support for adhesion, spreading, and proliferation. This behavior is attributed to its unique topographical density and orientation. The study offers a novel framework for harnessing natural geometries in the design of reproducible and cytocompatible platforms for regenerative and in vitro biomedical applications.