Azo-polysiloxanes as new supports for cell cultures

The paper introduces a new class of materials with azo-polysiloxanic structure bearing the property to generate nano-structured surfaces by laser irradiation. The ability to modulate the optical response of the film, through a modification of the polymer chemical structure, has been investigated. The azo-materials were tested for their ability to support cell adhesion and growth, with very promising results. A future use of these materials as growth support in cell cultures is of great interest, due to an easy, one step-method to generate the surface relief grating and to the possibility to introduce a large range of chemical modifications due to the presence of the chlorobenzyl groups in the polymeric side-chain.

Cell development on a nano-structured surface obtained from an azo-polysiloxanic film.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► New azo-polysiloxanic films for biological applications were reported.
► Nanostructured surfaces with controllable geometry are obtained by laser irradiation.
► Cells are very sensitive to the chemical and physical properties of the polymeric substrate