Optically transparent vertical silicon nanowire arrays for live-cell imaging

Roey Elnathan*, Andrew W. Holle, Jennifer Young, Marina A. George, Omri Heifler, Andriy Goychuk, Erwin Frey, Ralf Kemkemer, Joachim P. Spatz, Alon Kosloff*, Fernando Patolsky*, Nicolas H. Voelcker*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Programmable nano-bio interfaces driven by tuneable vertically configured nanostructures have recently emerged as a powerful tool for cellular manipulations and interrogations. Such interfaces have strong potential for ground-breaking advances, particularly in cellular nanobiotechnology and mechanobiology. However, the opaque nature of many nanostructured surfaces makes non-destructive, live-cell characterization of cellular behavior on vertically aligned nanostructures challenging to observe. Here, a new nanofabrication route is proposed that enables harvesting of vertically aligned silicon (Si) nanowires and their subsequent transfer onto an optically transparent substrate, with high efficiency and without artefacts. We demonstrate the potential of this route for efficient live-cell phase contrast imaging and subsequent characterization of cells growing on vertically aligned Si nanowires. This approach provides the first opportunity to understand dynamic cellular responses to a cell-nanowire interface, and thus has the potential to inform the design of future nanoscale cellular manipulation technologies. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Original languageEnglish
Article number51
JournalJournal of Nanobiotechnology
Volume19
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2021

Funding

FundersFunder number
Universities Australia DAAD German Research Cooperation
Australian Government
Australian Research CouncilDE170100021
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Gesellschaft der Freunde der Universität Tel Aviv in Österreich

    Keywords

    • Cell–material interface
    • Glass substrate
    • Live-cell phase-contrast imaging
    • Nanowires
    • Silicon

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Optically transparent vertical silicon nanowire arrays for live-cell imaging'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this