| AVS 56th International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| MEMS and NEMS | Thursday Sessions |
| Session MN-ThP |
| Session: | MEMS and NEMS Poster Session |
| Presenter: | J. Kim, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York |
| Authors: | J. Kim, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York J. Yang, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York M.M. Slaughter, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York G. Kim, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York Y.-K. Yoon, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Since the cytoskeletal properties of the cells cultured in two-dimensional (2D) culturing environment are different from those of the real biological cells constituting three-dimensional (3D) organs, the in-vitro cytokinetics from a 2D scaffold cannot be applied to in-vivo 3D cell culturing study. In this research, a 3D tripod honeycomb shape scaffold array fabricated using automated dynamic mode multidirectional ultra violet (UV) lithography [1] has been demonstrated for efficient 3D cell culture. A unit element of the scaffold consists of honeycomb shape confinement on the top, three posts at the bottom, and tapered openings in the side walls. This architecture provides advantageous properties for 3D cell culture: (1) sufficient nutrient supply paths through the openings in the side walls, (2) mechanically stable tripod structure, (3) moldable 3D geometry useful for mass production with various material selection, and (4) structural flexibility amenable to further 3D macro shaping. SU-8 (negative tone photoresist) mold masters made by multidirectional lithography, replicas with biodegradable polymer (poly lactic-co-glycolic acid: PLGA) after micromolding, and macroscopically deformed scaffolds are successfully demonstrated. As a test vehicle, retinal cells [2] are successfully cultured on the fabricated PLGA scaffold.
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has been used to make a negative form of the mold master. A broad range of materials can be used for the final polymeric structure. In this research, PLGA has been cast to form a final scaffold.
The structural compliance associated with the tapered sidewall provides macroscopic flexibility, one of the unique merits of this architecture. A rounded scaffold for the potential usage of artificial blood vessels or other implant devices is demonstrated. A unit scaffold layer has a height of 300mm and multilayer scaffolds can be implemented for much thicker 3D cell culturing by stacking multiple layers.
[1] J.K. Kim et al, “Automated dynamic mode multidirectional UV lithography for complex 3-D microstructures,” Proceedings of IEEE Micro Electro Mechanical Systems, Jan. 13-17, 2008, Tucson, AZ, pp. 399 – 402.
[2] X Luo et al, “Susceptibilities to and Mechanisms of Excitotoxic Cell Death of Adult Mouse Inner Retinal Neurons in Dissociated Culture,” Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci., 45 (2004), pp. 4576–4582.