Laser microfabrication of hydroxyapatite-osteoblast-like cell composites

We have developed a novel approach for layer-by-layer growth of tissue-engineered materials using a direct writing process known as matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation direct write (MAPLE DW). Unlike conventional cell-seeding methods, this technique provides the possibility for cell-material integration prior to artificial tissue fabrication. This process also provides greater flexibility in selection and processing of scaffold materials. In addition, MAPLE DW offers rapid computer-controlled deposition of mesoscopic voxels at high spatial resolutions. We have examined MAPLE DW processing of zirconia and hydroxyapatite scaffold materials that can provide a medical device with nearly inert and bioactive implant-tissue interfaces, respectively. We have also demonstrated codeposition of hydroxyapatite, MG 63 osteoblast-like cells, and extracellular matrix using MAPLE DW. We have shown that osteoblast-like cells remain viable and retain the capacity for proliferation when codeposited with bioceramic scaffold materials. Our results on MG 63-hydroxyapatite composites can be extended to develop other integrated cell-scaffold structures for medical and dental applications.

Cellular Motors for Molecular Manufacturing

Cells are composed of macromolecular structures of various sizes that act individually or collectively to maintain their viability and perform their function within the organism. This review focuses on one structure, the microtubule, and one of the motor proteins that move along it, conventional kinesin (kinesin 1). Recent work on the cellular functions of kinesins, such as the organization of microtubules during cellular division and the movement of the organelles and vesicles, offers insights into how biological motors might prove useful for organizing structures in engineered environments.

Two photon induced polymerization of organic-inorganic hybrid biomaterials for microstructured medical devices

Three-dimensional microstructured medical devices, including microneedles and tissue engineering scaffolds, were fabricated by two photon induced polymerization of Ormocer organic-inorganic hybrid materials. Femtosecond laser pulses from a titanium:sapphire laser were used to break chemical bonds on Irgacure 369 photoinitiator within a small focal volume. The radicalized starter molecules reacted with Ormocer US-S4 monomers to create radicalized polymolecules. The desired structures are fabricated by moving the laser focus in three dimensions using a galvano-scanner and a micropositioning system. Ormocer surfaces fabricated using two photon induced polymerization demonstrated acceptable cell viability and cell growth profiles against B35 neuroblast-like cells and HT1080 epithelial-like cells. Lego-like interlocking tissue engineering scaffolds and microneedle arrays with unique geometries were created using two photon induced polymerization. These results suggest that two photon induced polymerization is able to create medical microdevices with a larger range of sizes, shapes, and materials than chemical isotropic etching, injection molding, reactive ion etching, surface micromachining, bulk micromachining, polysilicon micromolding, lithography-electroforming-replication, or other conventional microfabrication techniques.

Survival and Proliferative Ability of Various Living Cell Types after Laser-Induced Forward Transfer

The survival, proliferation, and differentiation of freshly isolated and cultured cells were studied after absorbing film-assisted laser-induced forward transfer. Rat Schwann and astroglial cells and pig lens epithelial cells were used for transfer and the cells were cultured for 2 weeks after laser-pulsed transfer. All three cell types survived, proliferated, and differentiated under cell culture conditions and regained their original phenotype a few days after cell transfer. Time resolution studies have shown that the time required to accelerate the jets and droplets containing the cells was less than 1 micros and that the estimated minimum average acceleration of those ejected cells that reached a constant velocity was approximately 10(7) x g. This suggests that the majority of studied cells tolerated the extremely high acceleration at the beginning of the ejection and the deceleration during impact on the acceptor plate without significant damage to the original phenotype. These results suggest that the absorbing film-assisted laser-induced forward transfer technique appears to be suitable for several potential applications in tissue engineering and the biomedical tissue repair technologies.

Laser Printing of Pluripotent Embryonal Carcinoma Cells

A technique by which to print patterns and multilayers of scaffolding and living cells could be used in tissue engineering to fabricate tissue constructs with cells, materials, and chemical diversity at the micron scale. We describe here studies using a laser forward transfer technology to print single-layer patterns of pluripotent murine embryonal carcinoma cells. This report focuses on verifying cell viability and functionality as well as the ability to differentiate cells after laser transfer. We find that when cells are printed onto model tissue scaffolding such as a layer of hydrogel, greater than 95% of the cells survive the transfer process and remain viable. In addition, alkaline comet assays were performed on transferred cells, showing minimal single-strand DNA damage from potential ultraviolet-cell interaction. We also find that laser-transferred cells express microtubular associated protein 2 after retinoic acid stimulus and myosin heavy chain protein after dimethyl sulfoxide stimulus, indicating successful neural and muscular pathway differentiation. These studies provide a foundation so that laser printing may next be used to build heterogeneous multilayer cellular structures, enabling cell growth and differentiation in heterogeneous three-dimensional environments to be uniquely studied.

Picoliter-scale protein microarrays by laser direct write

We demonstrate the accurate picoliter-scale dispensing of active proteins using a novel laser transfer technique. Droplets of protein solution are dispensed onto functionalized glass slides and into plastic microwells, activating as small as 50-microm diameter areas on these surfaces. Protein microarrays fabricated by laser transfer were assayed using standard fluorescent labeling techniques to demonstrate successful protein and antigen binding. These results indicate that laser transfer does not damage the active site of the dispensed protein and that this technique can be used to successfully fabricate a functioning protein microarray. Also, as a result of the efficient nature of the process, material usage is reduced by two to four orders of magnitude compared to conventional pin dispensing methods for protein spotting.

Generation of mesoscopic patterns of viable Escherichia coli by ambient laser transfer

We have generated mesoscopic patterns of viable Escherichia coli on Si(1 1 1), glass, and nutrient agar plates by using a novel laser-based transfer process termed matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation direct write (MAPLE DW). We observe no alterations to the E. coli induced by the laser-material interaction or the shear forces during the transfer. Transferred E. coli patterns were observed by optical and electron microscopes, and cell viability was shown through green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression and cell culturing experiments. The transfer mechanism for our approach appears remarkably gentle and suggests that active biomaterials such as proteins, DNA and antibodies could be serially deposited adjacent to viable cells. Furthermore, this technique is a direct write technology and therefore does not involve the use of masks, etching, or other lithographic tools.

MATERIALS PROCESSING: The Power of Direct Writing

In a direct-write approach, micrometer-scale structures are built directly without the use of masks, allowing rapid prototyping. Direct-write approaches are enabling faster, cheaper manufacture of electronic components and are also used for tissue engineering and array-based biosensors. In his Perspective, Chrisey provides a short overview of current research in the area of direct-write technologies, focusing on the materials science aspects.

Pulsed laser deposition of thin film hydroxyapatite. Applications for flexible catheters

Skin exit site infections are a major source of morbidity in patients with indwelling percutaneous catheters. Ceramic materials, such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and alumina, have demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and low rates of infection in soft tissues. Previous attempts to design ceramic materials for use as percutaneous connectors have resulted in rigid discs or solid cylindrical tubes. In order to take advantage of the inherent properties of HA without reducing patient comfort or mobility, the feasibility of applying a thin film of HA directly onto a flexible polymeric catheter was studied. The coating was applied by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The beam from a KrF excimer laser impinged upon a target of pressed and sintered HA, producing a plume of ablated material that was deposited onto the catheter tubing. By rotating the tubing, an even coating of HA was applied to the catheter at a thickness of approximately 0.50 microm. The coating did not compromise the flexibility of the catheter tubing. Hence, PLD of a thin film of HA at the exit site of percutaneous catheters may be a means of incorporating the bioactive and biocompatible properties of HA with the mobility and patient comfort that characterize polymeric catheters.