Cells in living organisms are surrounded by dynamic environments that regulate functions like migration and differentiation. Mimicking these interactions in the lab remains challenging. This study presents a light-responsive platform using azobenzene films with a protective PDMS layer. By adjusting PDMS thickness, surface relief gratings (SRGs) can be created and erased with light, allowing reversible topography changes. These SRGs guide cell alignment and are compatible with live-cell experiments. The platform can also be biofunctionalized with protein patterns, combining topography and biochemical cues. This approach enables dynamic control of cell-material interactions and expands the possibilities for reconfigurable cell culture systems.
Isomäki, M., Fedele, C., Kääriäinen, L., Mäntylä, E., Nymark, S., Ihalainen, T.O. and Priimagi, A. (2022), Light-Responsive Bilayer Cell Culture Platform for Reversible Cell Guidance. Small Sci., 2: 2100099. https://doi.org/10.1002/smsc.202100099