Cell Mechanics and Manipulation on Soft Microtextured Surfaces

Cells are a dynamic, soft, and living system exhibiting complex mechanical behaviors across various timescales. Much research has focused on cellular mechanics over extended periods, such as during cell growth (hours to days). Mechanical responses on shorter timescales on the order of seconds, however, remain underexplored despite their importance for cell manipulation. This study addresses this gap by investigating the mechanical response of cells interacting with a micro-textured substrate on short timescales. We designed a soft polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer surface with cell-sized micro-ridges, treated to promote cell adhesion and 'cell-philicity'. The soft nature of the cells allows for interesting dynamics when brought in contact with a textured surface, which are highlighted using in-situ brightfield and fluorescence microscopy. We observed that cells adapt both their external morphology and internal organization in response to the shape and stimulus of the micro-ridged texture. Further, we demonstrated the application of this system for selective cell capture and release, with re-cultured cells showing typical morphology and recovery. Our findings advance cell handling techniques and contribute to the understanding of cell-surface interactions within the framework of soft matter physics, with potential implications for tissue engineering and cellular therapies.