Development of photo-responsive polymers for manipulation of cell culture

Abstract

To meet the increasing needs to automate cell culture handling, including separation, purification, and collection, we examined the use of photo-responsive polymer materials as culture substrates. Accordingly, we developed a polymer that becomes water-dissoluble in sharp response to light irradiation, and demonstrated photo-selective cell detachment and collection from the polymer-coated substrate. In addition, selective cell killing and cutting of cell monolayer was implemented using the polymer material, which generates acid/heat upon light irradiation. Some of these technologies were applied to the purification of undifferentiated cells and the sectioning of cell monolayer in the maintenance and culture of human iPS cells.