Nanotechnology for Control of Biomolecules and Cells

Nanotechnology can be applied to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures and fluidic nanochannels in microsystems for biomedical applications such as DNA analysis and tissue engineering. The ability to fabricate 3D nanostructures allows new designs to be developed and integration of complex biomedical systems. Conventional semiconductor fabrication processes for 3D structures involve multiple and costly process steps such as deposition,
planarization, lithography, and etching. In contrast, reversal nanoimprint has the unique capability of building 3D nanostructures and nanochannels in microsystems with simpler technology and better control. Combining UV exposure with reversal nanoimprint, low temperature and low pressure can be used to pattern arrays of nanostructure and nanochannel network over a large area. Reversal UV nanoimprint technology for 3D nanofluidic system will be demonstrated. Control of DNA placement and stretching in the nanochannels using integrated electrodes will be shown. In addition, nanostructures produced by nanoimprint are used to control and guide the alignment and elongation of cells. The responses of the cells to substrate topography can be useful in influencing stem cell behavior.