Patterning Electrospun Nanofibers via Agarose Hydrogel Stamps to Spatially Coordinate Cell Orientation in Microfluidic Device

Abstract

A straightforward, inexpensive, and reliable approach to pattern electrospun nanofibers via solvent-containing agarose hydrogel stamps is reported. Complex hierarchical microstructures can be further constructed via appropriate multistep permutation of microcontact patterning and electrospinning. As a proof-of-concept application, the patterned electrospun nanofibers are employed to spatially coordinate cell orientation in microfluidic devices.

Keywords: agarose hydrogel stamps; cell orientation; electrospun nanofibers; microcontact printing; microfluidic devices.