The micropatterns of glutaraldehyde-crosslinked gelatin as ECM for attachment of tumor cells

Use of this work proposes a novel technique to induce the attachment of tumor cells to the micropatterns of glutaraldehyde (GA)-crosslinked gelatin. It provides another method to crosslink gelatin other than using the photo-sensitizing agents or selective GA-crosslinked technique. The micropatterns of GA-crosslinked gelatin are fabricated by O₂ plasma etching process. This novel technique can ensure the degree of crosslink, prevent the over-crosslink from pattern deformation and enhance the adhesion between the gelatin and glass slide. The best spatial resolution of the micro gelatin bases can be reached to 2 mum. The micropatterns of GA-crosslinked gelatin can still be made successfully by the conventional photolithography. The much less toxic and more biocompatible approaches of strengthening the gelatin microstructures can be developed according to the idea herein.