It has been noted that cells can respond to microtextures of material surface.
For example, cells seeded on grooved surface with dimensions of micrometer
are aligned along the groove structure [1]. Recently it was found that
cells on micro-patterned adhesive sites respond to the size and density
of adhesive sites with growth or apoptosis [2]. It is considered that these
findings provide us with new perspectives in tissue engineering as well
as in cell biology. The patterned surfaces are usually prepared by photolithography
[3].
Recently we have found that amphiphilic polymers can mesoscopic
honeycomb-patterned cast films under flow of moist air [4]. If the
patterned films can be prepared from many kinds of polymers and controlled
the morphological properties of the patterns, they will enable us to culture
cells on various environments. The purpose of my research is to control
the stability and morphology of this honeycomb patterned structure.
Three-dimensional cell culture is useful for tissue engineering and construction of bio-artificial organs. We are trying to prepare microporous gels and culture cells on them.
