Degassing-assisted patterning of cell culture surfaces.

We developed an alternative patterning technique which is capable of producing both topographic and biochemical features for cell culture studies. This technique is based on microaspiration induced with a degassed poly (dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) mold. After degassing in a rough vacuum chamber and placed on a sample surface, liquid solution can be aspired through channels and cavities created in the PDMS mold. Depending on the composition of the solution and the associated drying or incubation processes, a variety of surface patterns can be produced without applying external pressure. For demonstration, we fabricated agarose gel microwells and biomolecule patterns either on a glass plate or in a cell culture Petri dish, both applicable for cell culture studies. (c) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.