A low-cost paper-based platform for fast and reliable screening of cellular interactions with materials

Emil Rosqvist, Erik Niemelä, Johan Frisk, Heidi Öblom, Rajesh Koppolu, Hend Abdelkader, Diosangeles Soto Véliz, Marco Mennillo, Arun Poonthuruthikudy Venu, Petri Ihalainen, Melanie Aubert, Niklas Sandler, Carl-Eric Wilen, Martti Toivakka, John Eriksson, Ronald Österbacka, Jouko Peltonen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A paper-based platform was developed and tested for studies on basic cell culture, material biocompatibility, and activity of pharmaceuticals in order to provide a reliable, robust and low-cost cell study platform. It is based upon a paper or paperboard support, with a nanostructured latex coating to provide an enhanced cell growth and sufficient barrier properties. Wetting is limited to regions of interest using a flexographically printed hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane layer with circular non-print areas. The nanostructured coating can be substituted for another coating of interest, or the regions of interest functionalized with a material to be studied. The platform is fully up-scalable, being produced with roll-to-roll rod coating, flexographic and inkjet printing methods. Results show that the platform efficiency is comparable to multi-well plates in colorimetric assays in three separate studies: a cell culture study, a biocompatibility study, and a drug screening study. The color intensity is quantified by using a common office scanner or an imaging device and the data is analyzed by a custom computer software without the need for expensive screening or analysis equipment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1146–1156
JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry. B
Volume8
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

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