Gold-tipped elastomeric pillars for cellular mechanotransduction
J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B. 2009-01-01; 27(6): 3088
DOI: 10.1116/1.3259953
Read on PubMed
1. J Vac Sci Technol B Microelectron Nanometer Struct Process Meas Phenom. 2009 Nov
1;27(6):3088-3091.
Gold-Tipped Elastomeric Pillars for Cellular Mechanotransduction.
Ghassemi S(1), Rossier O, Sheetz MP, Wind SJ, Hone J.
Author information:
(1)Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027.
We 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, the 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.
DOI: 10.1116/1.3259953
PMCID: PMC2880520
PMID: 20526428