Micro-patterned Polystyrene Substrates for Highly Integrated Microfluidic Cell Culture

Adherent mammalian cells dynamically interact with their extracellular matrix (ECM) and culture substrate. To accommodate this sensitivity, standard culture techniques typically utilize tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS), a treated polystyrene substrate that promotes cell attachment. However, TCPS cannot be easily integrated into microfluidic devices as it is incompatible with conventional fabrication techniques. We have developed a process that integrates micro-patterned polystyrene (MPPS) onto glass substrates, combining the cell-culture compatibility of polystyrene with the fabrication compatibility of glass. Importantly, this process integrates cell culture surfaces directly within a device and preserves the standard microfluidic assembly process of plasma bonding.