A Simple Method for Fabrication of Microstructures Using a PDMS Stamp.

Hun Lee,Kwang Oh,Linfeng Xu,Sindhu Row,Stelios Andreadis,Domin Koh

doi:10.3390/mi7100173

Abstract

We report a simple method to fabricate PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) microwell arrays on glass by using a PDMS stamp to study cell-to-cell adhesion. In the cell-to-cell study, a glass substrate is required since glass has better cell attachment. The microwell arrays are replicated from an SU-8 master mold, and then are transferred to a glass substrate by lifting the PDMS stamp, followed by oxygen plasma bonding of the PDMS stamp on the glass substrate. For the cell-to-cell adhesion, four different types of PDMS arrays (e.g., rectangle, bowtie, wide-rhombus, and rhombus) were designed to vary the cell-to-cell contact length. The transfer success rates of the microwell arrays were measured as a function of both the contact area of the PDMS and the glass substrate and the different ratios between the base polymers and the curing agent. This method of generating the microwell arrays will enable a simple and robust construction of PDMS-based devices for various biological applications.

Highlights

The microwell array has become an essential analysis tool for various biological and chemical applications [1]
We have demonstrated the simple fabrication method of the microwell arrays on the glass substrate using the conventional photolithography technique
For cell-to-cell adhesion to smooth muscle cells, four different types of patterns can be successfully created on the glass substrate by tearing the patterns from the PDMS stamp to the glass substrate

Summary

Introduction

The microwell array has become an essential analysis tool for various biological and chemical applications [1]. For a controlled cell culture environment, a PDMS stamping (or imprinting) method has been widely used since it can print micropatterns on a substrate of interest [7,8,9] This technology can offer a cell culture environment with well-controlled sizes, shapes, and positions on a substrate, providing a useful tool for cell studies. Gray et al demonstrated a surface patterning method with cell-adhesive molecules using the PDMS stamping method for cell-to-cell contact studies [10]. The con2taofc9t printing method by the PDMS stamp should be carefully controlled to avoid deformation of patterns limiting the robust fabrication of the device for testing. Tpheelnedbootfhf sfridomes othfePmDMoldS.wTehreentrbeoatthedsiwdeitshoof xPyDgMenSpwlaesrme atrteoatbeedbwonitdheodxtyoggenlaspslassumbastrtaotebse, basonsdhoedwntoingl(ads)s. (sdu)bBstortahtessid, eass osfhPoDwMn Sinar(ed)b.o(ndd) eBdobthy stwidoesgloafssPsDliMdeSs,atrheenbotonpdegdlabssystuwbostrgaltaessissrleidmeosv, ethdewnitohpPDglMasSs msuibcsrotrwateellisarrreamyolvefetdown itthhePbDoMttoSmmgiclarsoswselildl ae.rr(aey) Bleyftaopnpltyhienbgotthtoemmegclahsasnsicliadlef.o(rec)eBtoy tahpeptloypinglathsse smliedceh, athneicpalafttoerrcnestocatnhebetoepasgilaystsraslnidsfee,rtrhede ptoatttheernbsocttaonmbegleaasssi.ly transferred to the bottom glass

Cell-to-Cell Study

Findings

Conclusions