Preparation of Nanoporous Polymer Films for Real-Time Viability Monitoring of Cells

We have demonstrated an alternative way to monitor the viability of cells adhered on a nanoporous polymer film in real time. The nanoporous polymer films were prepared by laser interference pattering. During exposure of holographic patterning, the dissolved solvents were phase separated with photocured polymer and the nanopores were created as the solvents evaporated. The diffracted spectra from the nanoporous polymer film responded to each activity of the cell cycle, from initial cell seeding, through growth, and eventual cell death. This cell-based biosensor uses a nanoporous polymer film to noninvasively monitor cell viability and may prove useful for biotechnological applications.