Sensing the cell- substrate interaction towards development of "smart" surfaces

Abstract

Chemical cues and nanotopographies present on the surface strongly influence the fate and adhesion of biological cells. Careful tuning of the engineered surfaces, either attractant or repulsive, require non-invasive, long time monitoring capabilities. A modified ECIS (Electric cell-substrate impedance sensing) involving interdigitated electrodes has been developed and applied to assess the interaction between cells and chemically modified and/or nano-patterned surface. New models and avenues to eliminate the electrode polarization are presented as well as innovative designs of electrodes and polymer nanocoatings in view of complementary total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy evaluation of the same surface. © Springer-Verlag 2007.