@article{SechiFreitasWuennemannetal.2016,
  author    = {Sechi, Antonio and Freitas, Joana M. G. and W{\"u}nnemann, Patrick and T{\"o}pel, Alexander and Paschoalin, Rafaella Takehara and Ullmann, Sabrina and Schr{\"o}der, Ricarda and Aydin, G{\"u}lcan and R{\"u}tten, Stephan and B{\"o}ker, Alexander and Zenke, Martin and Pich, Andrij},
  title     = {Surface-Grafted Nanogel Arrays Direct Cell Adhesion and Motility},
  series = {Advanced materials interfaces},
  volume    = {3},
  journal   = {Advanced materials interfaces},
  publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell},
  address   = {Hoboken},
  issn      = {2196-7350},
  doi       = {10.1002/admi.201600455},
  pages     = {13},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {It has long been appreciated that material chemistry and topology profoundly affect cell adhesion and migration. Here, aqueous poly(N- isopropyl acrylamide) nanogels are designed, synthesized and printed in form of colloidal arrays on glass substrates using wrinkled polydimethylsiloxane templates. Using low-temperature plasma treatment, nanogels are chemically grafted onto glass supports thus leading to highly stable nanogel layers in cell culture media. Liquid cell atomic force microscopy investigations show that surface-grafted nanogels retain their swelling behavior in aqueous media and that extracellular matrix protein coating do not alter their stability and topography. It is demonstrated that surface-grafted nanogels could serve as novel substrates for the analysis of cell adhesion and migration. Nanogels influence size, speed, and dynamics of focal adhesions and cell motility forcing cells to move along highly directional trajectories. Moreover, modulation of nanogel state or spacing serves as an effective tool for regulation of cell motility. It is suggested that nanogel arrays deposited on solid surfaces could be used to provide a precise and tunable system to understand and control cell migration. Additionally, such nanogel arrays will contribute to the development of implantable systems aimed at supporting and enhancing cell migration during, for instance, wound healing and tissue regeneration.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SchueringsNevskyiEliaschetal.2016,
  author    = {Sch{\"u}rings, Marco-Philipp and Nevskyi, Oleksii and Eliasch, Kamill and Michel, Ann-Katrin and Liu, Bing and Pich, Andrij and B{\"o}ker, Alexander and von Plessen, Gero and W{\"o}ll, Dominik},
  title     = {Diffusive Motion of Linear Microgel Assemblies in Solution},
  series = {Polymers},
  volume    = {8},
  journal   = {Polymers},
  publisher = {MDPI},
  address   = {Basel},
  issn      = {2073-4360},
  doi       = {10.3390/polym8120413},
  pages     = {14},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Due to the ability of microgels to rapidly contract and expand in response to external stimuli, assemblies of interconnected microgels are promising for actuation applications, e.g., as contracting fibers for artificial muscles. Among the properties determining the suitability of microgel assemblies for actuation are mechanical parameters such as bending stiffness and mobility. Here, we study the properties of linear, one-dimensional chains of poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) microgels dispersed in water. They were fabricated by utilizing wrinkled surfaces as templates and UV-cross-linking the microgels. We image the shapes of the chains on surfaces and in solution using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and fluorescence microscopy, respectively. In solution, the chains are observed to execute translational and rotational diffusive motions. Evaluation of the motions yields translational and rotational diffusion coefficients and, from the translational diffusion coefficient, the chain mobility. The microgel chains show no perceptible bending, which yields a lower limit on their bending stiffness.},
  language  = {en}
}