Freiburg 2024 – scientific programme
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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik
Q 29: Photonics
Q 29.7: Talk
Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 12:30–12:45, HS 1221
Fabrication of mechanically tunable 3D protein-based hydrogel microstructures by two-photon lithography for on-chip cell microenvironments — •Jesco Schönfelder1, Dustin Dzikonski1, Dominika Ciechanska2, Jörg Imbrock1, Cornelia Denz3, and Albrecht Schwab2 — 1Institute of Applied Physics, University of Münster, Germany — 2Institute of Physiology II, University of Münster, Germany — 3Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Germany
Microfluidic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) devices are a powerful tool for mimicking in-vivo cell microenvironments. PDMS offers high experimental versatility and biocompatibility while microfluidic channels provide laminar flow and allow for thoroughly monitored flow parameters. However, the tunability of mechanical and topological properties of PDMS microchannels is limited by the spatial precision of the applied fabrication method. We utilize two-photon lithography to fabricate spatially intricate 3D protein-based hydrogel structures with sub-micron resolution in order to create defined cell environments with high biocompatibility and tissue-like elasticity. The direct writing procedure allows for fabricated structures to be embedded into microfluidic channels. Via variation of the exposure time and illumination intensity, the mechanical properties of the polymerized media can be tuned. We present results on Young’s moduli of the hydrogel structures measured by atomic force microscopy and discuss applications of the 3D microstructures for biophotonic applications.
Keywords: Two-photon lithography; Hydrogel; Microfluidics; Mechanical tunability; On-chip