High-Resolution Micropatterned Teflon AF Substrates for Biocompatible Nanofluidic Devices

摘要

We describe a general photolithography-basednprocess for the microfabrication of surface-supported TeflonnAF structures. Teflon AF patterns primarily benefit fromnsuperior optical properties such as very low autofluorescencenand a low refractive index. The process ensures that the TeflonnAF patterns remain strongly hydrophobic in order to allownrapid lipid monolayer spreading and generates a characteristicnedge morphology which assists directed cell growth along thenstructured surfaces. We provide application examples,ndemonstrating the well-controlled mixing of lipid films onnTeflon AF structures and showing how the patterned surfaces can be used as biocompatible growth-directing substrates for cellnculture. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells develop in a guided fashion along the sides of the microstructures, selectivelynavoiding to grow over the patterned areas.