The Development of Patterned Stiffness Substrates for Mechanobiology (2023)
Undergraduates: William McLain, Stephen, Snare, Viviana Londono Calderon
Faculty Advisor: Richard Superfine
Department: Applied Physical Sciences
Human cell response to has been long studied as cells are responsible for the
homeostatic operation of the body. For example, research has detailed that the
gradient of rigidity of substrates can lead to cell movement bias, where cells
exhibit preference towards the direction of softer, smoother regions. To further
understand cell sensing of its mechanical environment, this research investigates
the formation of microscale stiffness patterns by patterning two polymers of
different stiffnesses. To isolate the effects of stiffness patterns from the potential
effects of topography cues, we undertake the challenge of fabricating a flat
substrate . To accomplish excellent optical microscopy of the cell response, our
substrates need to be optically clear and have a homogenous index of refraction.
Finally, substrates must also have high refractive index to allow the technique of
total internal reflection microscopy. Topography was verified with fluorescent
microscopy, surface homogeneity of the surface with scanning electron
microscopy, and stiffness gradients via force mapping. In the future, flat dual
substrates could assist in the development of the field of cell motility, allowing for
characterization of mechanical cell responses based solely on stiffness patterns.
Additionally, protocols developed during this research could allow for future
augmentation of the pattern dual substrates used for other purposes. Human cell response to has been long studied as cells are responsible for the
homeostatic operation of the body. For example, research has detailed that the
gradient of rigidity of substrates can lead to cell movement bias, where cells
exhibit preference towards the direction of softer, smoother regions. To further
understand cell sensing of its mechanical environment, this research investigates
the formation of microscale stiffness patterns by patterning two polymers of
different stiffnesses. To isolate the effects of stiffness patterns from the potential
effects of topography cues, we undertake the challenge of fabricating a flat
substrate . To accomplish excellent optical microscopy of the cell response, our
substrates need to be optically clear and have a homogenous index of refraction.
Finally, substrates must also have high refractive index to allow the technique of
total internal reflection microscopy. Topography was verified with fluorescent
microscopy, surface homogeneity of the surface with scanning electron
microscopy, and stiffness gradients via force mapping. In the future, flat dual
substrates could assist in the development of the field of cell motility, allowing for
characterization of mechanical cell responses based solely on stiffness patterns.
Additionally, protocols developed during this research could allow for future
augmentation of the pattern dual substrates used for other purposes.