High-throughput platforms for investigating bioadhesion and cell migration

Engineered in-vitro platforms or patterned biomaterials enabled a wide range of studies that led a deeper understanding of biological processes. This thesis describes the use of surface chemistry and soft lithography that enabled high-throughput analyses of cell adhesion, migration, and wound healing. In this thesis, I investigated engineering design rules that determine the efficiency of thermally tunable cell adhesion and release from poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) brushes. Large format polymer gradients were used to screen grafting densities and substrate chemistries that alter both cell adhesion and rapid, reversible release by switching temperature. The study demonstrated the interplay between protein adsorption mechanisms, surface chemistry, and polymer properties on the efficacy of thermally controlled, reversible bioadhesion. I also used these large format gradients to generate shallow immobilized protein gradients to investigate the effect of ligand density on cell adhesion and migration. The results showed the utility of these large format gradients for high-throughput analysis of cell adhesion and migration on different extracellular matrix compositions, as an alternative to other gradient generating methodologies. The third main focus of this thesis used a fabricated, micropillar based wound healing platform to conduct high throughput wound healing analyses. With this approach, I investigated the impact of genetic variations on endothelial wound healing relevant to acute lung injury.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Choi, Sangwook

Contributors dc:contributor

• Leckband, Deborah E.
• Higdon, Jonathan J.L.
• Braun, Paul V.
• Kraft, Mary L.

• polymer gradient
• bioadhesion
• cell migration
• wound healing
• soft lithography
• surface chemistry

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2014 Sangwook Choi

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/50458

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/50458