Journal article
Hydrogels with Lotus Leaf Topography: Investigating Surface Properties and Cell Adhesion
Miriem Santander-Borrego, Elena Taran, Audra MA Shadforth, Andrew K Whittaker, Traian V Chirila, Idriss Blakey
Langmuir | AMER CHEMICAL SOC | Published : 2017
Abstract
The interactions of cells with the surface of materials is known to be influenced by a range of factors that include chemistry and roughness; however, it is often difficult to probe these factors individually without also changing the others. Here we investigate the role of roughness on cell adhesion while maintaining the same underlying chemistry. This was achieved by using a polymerization in mold technique to prepare poly(hydroxymethyl methacrylate) hydrogels with either a flat topography or a topography that replicated the microscale features of lotus leaves. These materials were then assessed for cell adhesion, and atomic force microscopy and contact angle analysis were then used to pro..
View full abstractGrants
Awarded by Australian Research Council
Awarded by Future Fellowship Scheme
Awarded by Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities Scheme
Funding Acknowledgements
The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Australian Research Council through Discovery Projects Scheme (projects DP0878615 and DP1094205), the Future Fellowship Scheme (FT100100721), and the Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities Scheme (LE0775684 and LE0668517). Aspects of this research were carried out using equipment at the Queensland Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility. The authors acknowledge use of facilities at the Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis at the University of Queensland.