Materials Nanoarchitectonics as Cell Regulators

This Minireview presents sophisticated interfacial materials nanoarchitectonics for cell regulation as controls of advanced bio-systems. In the nanoarchitectonics procedures, functional materials and systems can be architected with various actions and processes including atomic/molecular manipulation, organic synthesis, self-assembly/self-organization and structural regulation upon application of external physical stimuli. Based on nano-level materials fabrications with this nanoarchiteconics concept, several recent research accomplishments on cell regulations are described as classified into (i) influences of physical mechanical factors such as elasticity and viscoelasticity on cell regulations at materials surfaces and liquid interfaces; (ii) regulation of cells upon dynamic changes of surface natures, stimuli by chemicals, and geometric factors; (iii) effects of surface structures prepared by microfabrications and assemblies of nanomaterials on cell regulations.