Interfacial self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers is a useful method to prepare responsive nanomaterials.  We have designed and prepared hPB-b-PEO based polymeric thin films with the goal of a more complete understanding of cell-material interactions.  Recently, we modified the chain ends of the polymer hydrophilic block to introduce NHS ester derivatives, and subsequently assembled bilayer films using Langmuir-Blodgett and Langmuir-Schaefer techniques.  Introduction of a polyisobutylene homopolymer during the assembly gives control over film fluidity, while the NHS ester groups are able to form covalent bonds with proteins such as fibronectin (Fn).  With this approach we can obtain responsive and protein-patterned films to study cell adhesion as well as to measure cellular traction forces.  To create cell-adhesive (i.e., Fn) surface patterns we use advanced nanolithography/transfer printing methods to stamp Fn proteins from a PDMS mold onto NHS-conjugated films.  The resulting Fn dots on our film are 1-5 um apart, readily observed by fluorescence microscopy, and permit engagement with cellular integrin receptors.  This presentation will cover detailed analysis of these self-assembled films and the behavior of fibroblast cells on these soft materials.

Responsive self-assembled block copolymer films for understanding cell-material interactions

246th National Meeting (2013)

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