Methods with Nanoarchitectonics for Small Molecules and Nanostructures to Regulate Living Cells

Among all kinds of functional systems and mechanisms, living cells may be regarded as the most advanced functional material systems. Creation of cell-like highly functional systems can be an ultimate goal of nanoarchitectonics research. Although full construction of cell-like functional objects may not be going to happen anytime soon, controls of living cells by small molecules and their nanoarchitected assemblies can be accomplishable research subjects. Nanoarchitectonics approaches are helpful for small molecules and nanostructures to regulate living cells. In this review article, several examples in cell regulation with bio-related molecules and cell regulation with the aid of external stimuli such as electronic and photonic stimuli are first exhibited. Following these examples, controls of cell alignments and differentiations at extremely different interfacial media, the surface with hard nanocarbon structures, and completely soft liquid-liquid interface, are discussed. Especially, interaction at contacting external surface can trigger integrated relayed processes within living cells which may finally alter cellular behaviors and eventually guide stem cell differentiation. Surface designing by interfacial nanoarchitectonics can be a crucial key in regulation of living cells. It can lead to technology connection between surface nanofabrication and tissue engineering and cell-based technology.