Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Nano-Imprinted Thin Films Of Reactive, Azlactone-Containing Polymers: Combining Methods For The Topographic Patterning Of Cell Substrates With Opportunities For Facile Post-Fabrication Chemical Functionalization, Nathaniel J. Fredin, Ryan M. Flessner, Christopher M. Jewell, Shane L. Bechler, Maren E. Buck, David M. Lynn

Chemistry: Faculty Publications

Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize changes in nanoscale structure that occur when ultrathin polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) are incubated in aqueous media. The PEMs investigated here were fabricated by the deposition of alternating layers of plasmid DNA and a hydrolytically degradable polyamine onto a precursor film composed of alternating layers of linear poly(ethylene imine) (LPEI) and sodium poly(styrene sulfonate) (SPS). Past studies of these materials in the context of gene delivery revealed transformations from a morphology that is smooth and uniform to one characterized by the formation of nanometer-scale particulate structures. We …