Engineered antifouling microtopographies: mapping preferential and inhibitory microenvironments for zoospore attachment

Abstract

An algorithm was developed and implemented to map the locations of attached spores of Ulva linza on patterned surfaces. Using this mapping algorithm, spore preference among regions within a pattern can be detected and quantified. Settlement maps of spores on patterned topographies from several assays showed clear preferences in spore settlement. Over 94% of the spores attached within the depressed regions on the surfaces, including a surface containing pits instead of protruding features. The spores attached primarily at the intersections of several features, with over half and up to 96% of spores settling in these regions. The highest spore densities occurred at intersections where the features were most dissimilar. In contrast, the location of attached beads on the surfaces was nearly uniform across the surface. Identification of preferential attachment locations allows for the study of localized properties that influence cell behavior and aids in the development of new surfaces to control cell–surface interactions.

Keywords:

• Ulva linza
• engineered topography
• preferential attachment
• antifouling
• probability density
• antifouling

Acknowledgements

ABB, JAC, MEC, CJL, and JAF gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Office of Naval Research (Contract #N000014-02-1-0325 to ABB and CJL, and Contract #N00014-08-1-0010 to JAC, MEC, and JAF). Special thanks to Sean Royston for his technical assistance in production and fabrication of the engineered topographies. The authors also thank Dr Mary Christman for advice on statistical analysis and Victoria Salazar for assistance with image analysis.