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

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. B, Materials for biology and medicine Vol. 8; no. 6; pp. 1146 - 1156
• Main Authors: Rosqvist, E, Niemelä, E, Frisk, J, Öblom, H, Koppolu, R, Abdelkader, H, Soto Véliz, D, Mennillo, M, Venu, A. P, Ihalainen, P, Aubert, M, Sandler, N, Wilén, C.-E, Toivakka, M, Eriksson, J. E, Österbacka, R, Peltonen, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Royal Society of Chemistry 14.02.2020
• Subjects: Biocompatibility; Biotechnology; Cell culture; Cells, Cultured; Coated Materials, Biocompatible - chemistry; Coated Materials, Biocompatible - economics; Coating; Coatings; Color vision; Colorimetry; Dimethylpolysiloxanes - chemistry; Dimethylpolysiloxanes - economics; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Drug screening; Humans; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Hydrophobicity; Inkjet printing; Latex; Low cost; Materials Testing; Nanostructure; Paper board; Particle Size; Pharmaceutical Preparations - chemistry; Pharmaceutical Preparations - economics; Polydimethylsiloxane; Screening; Surface Properties; Wetting
• ISSN: 2050-750X; 2050-7518
• DOI: 10.1039/c9tb01958h

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. Illustrating the versatility, processability and reliability of a paper-based screening platform for biological studies with cell-material interaction studies and drug testing.