Novel Functionalizationof Discrete Polymeric Biomaterial Microstructures for Applicationsin Imaging and Three-Dimensional Manipulation

摘要

Adapting ways to functionalize polymer materials is becoming increasingly important to their implementation in translational biomedical sciences. By tuning the mechanical, chemical, and biological qualities of these materials, their applications can be broadened, opening the door for more advanced integration into modern medical techniques. Here, we report on a method to integrate chemical functionalizations into discrete, microscale polymer structures, which are used for tissue engineering applications, for in vivo localization, and three-dimensional manipulation. Iron oxide nanoparticles were incorporated into the polymer matrix using common photolithographic techniques to create stably functional microstructures with magnetic potential. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we can promote visualization of microstructures contained in small collections, as well as facilitate the manipulation and alignment of microtopographical cues in a realistic tissue environment. Using similar polymer functionalization techniques, fluorine-containing compounds were also embedded in the polymer matrix of photolithographically fabricated microstructures.The incorporation of fluorine-containing compounds enabled highlysensitive and specific detection of microstructures in physiologicsettings using fluorine MRI techniques (¹⁹F MRI). Thesefunctionalization strategies will facilitate more reliable noninvasivetracking and characterization of microstructured polymer implantsas well as have implications for remote microstructural scaffoldingalignment for three-dimensional tissue engineering applications.