Micro and nano glass balls embedded in a gel presenting micrometer and nanometer scale curvature and stiffness patterns for use in cell and tissue culturing and a method for making same

摘要

A substrate for use in culturing cells or tissues. The substrate comprises a gel, one or more microstructures partially embedded within a surface of the gel, the one or more microstructures presenting two different curvatures or presenting two different stiffness values or presenting a combination of different curvatures and different stiffness values, wherein the microstructures are disposed at defined locations within the surface of the gel, and wherein the cells and tissues are cultured on an exposed surface of the microstructures.