Culturing smooth muscle cells on modified PDMS substrates

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a popular biocompatible material to be used in cell culture area. However, due to its hydrophobic surface property, cells cannot grow on its bare surface very well. In this paper, electrostatic layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly technology was used to coat thin films of hydrophilic and biocompatible materials, poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) (PDDA), poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS), and gelatin, on the surface of cell culture substrate to increase the growth and alignment of smooth muscle cells (SMCs).