The authors describe a technique for the fabrication of arrays of elastomeric pillars whose top surfaces are treated with selective chemical functionalization to promote cellular adhesion in cellular force transduction experiments. The technique involves the creation of a rigid mold consisting of arrays of circular holes into which a thin layer of Au is deposited, while the top surface of the mold and the sidewalls of the holes are protected by a sacrificial layer of Cr. When an elastomer is formed in the mold, Au adheres to the tops of the molded pillars. This can then be selectively functionalized with a protein that induces cell adhesion, while the rest of the surface is treated with a repellent substance. An additional benefit is that the tops of the pillars can be fluorescently labeled for improved accuracy in force transduction measurements.
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November 2009
This content was originally published in
Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B: Microelectronics and Nanometer Structures Processing, Measurement, and Phenomena
Research Article|
December 04 2009
Gold-tipped elastomeric pillars for cellular mechanotransduction
S. Ghassemi;
S. Ghassemi
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Columbia University
, New York, New York 10027 and Nanotechnology Center for Mechanics in Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University
, New York, New York 10027
Search for other works by this author on:
O. Rossier;
O. Rossier
Department of Biological Sciences,
Columbia University
, New York, New York 10027 and Nanotechnology Center for Mechanics in Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University
, New York, New York 10027
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M. P. Sheetz;
M. P. Sheetz
Department of Biological Sciences,
Columbia University
, New York, New York 10027 and Nanotechnology Center for Mechanics in Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University
, New York, New York 10027
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S. J. Wind;
S. J. Wind
a)
Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics,
Columbia University
, New York, New York 10027 and Nanotechnology Center for Mechanics in Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University
, New York, New York 10027
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J. Hone
J. Hone
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Columbia University
, New York, New York 10027 and Nanotechnology Center for Mechanics in Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University
, New York, New York 10027
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a)
Electronic mail: [email protected]
J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B 27, 3088–3091 (2009)
Article history
Received:
July 16 2009
Accepted:
October 15 2009
Citation
S. Ghassemi, O. Rossier, M. P. Sheetz, S. J. Wind, J. Hone; Gold-tipped elastomeric pillars for cellular mechanotransduction. J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B 1 November 2009; 27 (6): 3088–3091. https://doi.org/10.1116/1.3259953
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