Submicron-scale topographical control of cell growth using holographic surface relief grating

Abstract

The cell orientation and attachment were controlled by a submicron-scale topographical cue. For achieving the submicron undulation of surface topography, the laser holography on a photo-responsive azobenzene copolymer layer has been employed to produce surface relief grating (SRG) which has a regular sinusoidal shape. Cultured human astrocytes (HA) were preferentially attached onto the SRG surface and highly elongated along the SRG direction. This topographical control scheme would be very efficient to control the cell growth for cellular engineering applications and to understand the interactions of the cells with a submicron-scale topographical surface.