Micro- and nanometer-scale patterned surface in a microchannel for cell culture in microfluidic devices

A novel microdevice which had a micro- and nanometer-scale patterned surface for cell adhesion in a microchip was developed. The surface had a metal pattern fabricated by electron-beam lithography and metal sputtering and a chemical pattern consisting of a self-assembled monolayer of alkanethiol. The metal patterned surface had a gold stripe pattern which was as small as 300 nm wide and 150 nm high and both topography and chemical properties could be controlled. Mouse fibroblast NIH/3T3 cells were cultured on the patterned surface and elongated along the gold stripes. These cells recognized the size of the pattern and the chemical properties on the pattern though it was much smaller than they were. There was satisfactory cell growth under fresh medium flow in the microchip. The combination of the patterned surface and the microchip provides cells with a novel environment for their growth and will facilitate many cellular experiments.