Biomaterial microarrays: rapid, microscale screening of polymer–cell interaction

The identification of biomaterials that induce optimal gene expression patterns and allow for appropriate levels of cellular attachment is of central importance in tissue engineering and cell therapy. Herein, we describe the creation of cell-compatible, biomaterial microarrays, that allow rapid, microscale testing of biomaterial interactions with cells. As proof of principle, we simultaneously characterized over 3456 human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC)–biomaterial composite interactions, and describe preliminary studies on the utility of these arrays with a neural stem cell line (NSC), and primary articular chondrocytes.