Biocompatibility of composite membranes composed of anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) and Poly (2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) for use as a cell culture substrate

In this study we investigate the biomedical potential of composite membranes composed of anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) and Poly (2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) (pHEMA). The nano-porous AAO membranes were produced using a temperature controlled two-step electrochemical anodization technique. The AAO/pHEMA composite membranes were formed using the solution template wetting technique. The Cercopithecus aethiops (African green monkey) Kidney (Vero) epithelial cell line was used to demonstrate the applicability of the synthesised membranes and composites. Investigating cell adhesion, morphology and proliferation over a 72 h period assessed cellular interactions and responses of this cell line to the various membranes types. The novelty of the results stems from the use of pHEMA as a constituent, a material which normally does not promote cell adhesion, hence its use in contact lens and catheters.