Cell morphology and growth observation studies on novel, chemically unmodified and patterned polymer surfaces for advanced tissue culture applications

Creation of more physiologically relevant cell models in tissue culture is a requisite for advancing medical research. It can involve complex substrates, expensive manufacturing and largely inaccessible methods of increasing surface energy and patterning of materials that may be unnecessary in many circumstances. An array of various different adherent cell lines (human, mammalian, healthy and disease states) were grown on simple sterilised but otherwise untreated thin film surfaces as well as on electro-hydrodynamically patterned surfaces to produce topographically patterned culture surfaces. Room temperature cure epoxy resin and unmodified poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) thin film surfaces were used for cell growth and morphological observations. Differing responses in growth, morphology and adherence were observed in a surface- and cell-specific manner. With no complex and expensive modifications required, we demonstrate the application of novel, suitable and easily patterned materials for use in more advanced tissue culture applications for a variety of clinically relevant cell lines showing unique responses and potentially new and wide-reaching applications.