3D Bio-Patterning Using Self-folding Polymer Films

• Applicant: Privatdozentin Dr. Alla Synytska, since 8/2015
• Subject Area: Experimental and Theoretical Physics of Polymers ; Physical Chemistry of Solids and Surfaces, Material Characterisation
• Term: from 2009 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 114626003

The development of methods for 2D and 3D structuring of cells is highly demanded for tissue engineering. While there are a number of reliable methods for 2D patterning, 3D patterning still remains challenging. The goal of the project is to develop novel approach for complex 3D patterning of cells using self-folding polymer bilayers, which consist of the layer of hydrophobic and stimuli-responsive, hydrophilic polymers. Such films being intrinsically 2D objects are able to fold and form different hollow 3D shapes in response to different stimuli. The idea of the project is to use controlled 2D -> 3D transformation of polymer films to create 3D cellular structures. In order to achieve this goal, the approaches for patterning of the surface of self-folding polymer films that allows site-selective deposition cells of different sorts will be developed. Cells of one of multiple sorts will be seeded on the surface of the polymer bilayer in a spatially resolved manner i.e. cells of different sorts will be adsorbed in different predefined locations. Change of the environmentally conditions will lead to the swelling of stimuli responsive polymer and its folding. As a result the bilayer folds and forms complex 3D structure with cells.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Leonid Ionov, from 3/2015 until 8/2015