Characterization, functionalization and microfabrication of poly(amido-amine) based hydrogels for biomedical applications

Biomimetic materials with biodegradable properties, such as the poly(amido-amine) family based hydrogels, are extremily versatile materials which can be designed and further engineered to support cell survival, adhesion, proliferation, and applied as scaffolds for tissue engineering. Adhesion, proliferation and guidance can be enhanced by functionalizing the hydrogel with adhesive or biorelevant molecules, while other research field indicates that the surface topography also plays an important role in adhesion and cell growth guidance. In present work, a direct-write electron beam lithography method was developed to pattern the hydrogel surface. The methodology assures control at microscale (down to 500 nm) of the topographical surface and patterning of dry PAA based hydrogels (Agma1, ISA1 and ISA23). The direct-writing approach can be used to fabricate hydrogel-based microstructures and easily integrate them into innovative biodevices. Taking advantage of the patterns filled in with a cell non-adhesive hydrogel film, we control cell adhesion and proliferation into desired areas. In the described work with PAA based hydrogels, we discuss various aspects of process methodology, characterization, micropatterning, functionalization and application in cell culture analysis, scaffolds for tissue engineering, bio-interfaces, biosensors and microfluidic integrated systems.