Cell culture on polymers prepared by radiation-induced polymerization of various glass-forming monomers

The growth of cells on polymers prepared by the radiation polymerization of monomethacrylate and dimethacrylate was investigated. Cell growth was affected greatly by such properties of the polymers as water content, wettability, and porosity. Growth was promoted remarkably by rinsing the polymers with warm water at 60-70 degrees C and by irradiation of polymers with an electron beam. Cell growth decreased with increasing oxyethylene length (n) in the polymerized dimethacrylate of same series, CH2C(CH3)CO(OCH2CH2)nOCOC(CH3)CH2. A decrease in the hydrophilicity of the polymer increased cell growth rate. Formation of pore structures in the polymer films also increased the cell growth.