Microfluidic Lithography to Create Dynamic Gradient SAM Surfaces for Spatio‐temporal Control of Directed Cell Migration

Abstract

We have developed a new strategy—microfluidic lithography (μFL)—to generate patterns and gradients of electroactive SAMs that can subsequently react chemoselectively to immobilize ligands. These electroactive SAMs can be dynamically controlled in the presence of cells to promote directional cell migration. We show that fibroblasts migrate towards the higher density regions of a biospecific cell adhesive peptide gradient. The gradients can be quantitatively characterized with both electrochemistry and scanning electron microscopy, and are straightforward to generate and highly reproducible.