Abstract
The ability to spatially control cell aligning is one of the techniques used in biomedical engineering. Here we present a novel technique that allows adherent cells (smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts) to align in arbitrary directions in 2D culture. A silicone rubber subjected to a mechanical strain was altered in local stiffness. Upon release of the strain, the place with a localized change in stiffness undergoes a compensating stress resulting in a submicrometer deformation. Electron microscopy confirmed that the geometry of the deformation could be tunable with suitable combinations of the initial strain and altered stiffness. Cells seeded on the rubber aligned in particular directions. This technique may be utilized in tissue engineering.
