Design and fabrication of sculptured thin films for application in control of cancer and other cells

Given the importance of cell colonization for use in tissue engineering and for studying the inhibition of cancer cells, the use of bio material sculptured nano-structures mimicking the structure of the extracellular matrix offers a unique perspective. In this study, Mn and ZnS sculptured nano-structured fabricated using oblique (OAD) and glancing (GLAD) angle vapor deposition methods for investigation of cell behavior. Different characteristics of the produced sculptured thin films of Mn and ZnS materials in form of helical square and 3- and 5-fold helical star shapes were obtained from XRD, FESEM, and AFM analyses. Measurement of contact angle classified the produced samples in two groups of hydrophilic and hydrophobic samples, which provided the opportunity to investigate their function when cultured with normal and cancerous cells. Results showed that the hydrophilic surfaces increased the proliferation of both normal and cancer cells, albeit with different rates. On the contrary, the hydrophobic surfaces prevented the proliferation of cells and their expansion and cells undergo cell death or apoptosis. The specific morphology of the hydrophilic sculptured samples makes it possible to send proliferation signals for tissue engineering purposes, and in hydrophobic samples, to send apoptotic signals to inhibit cancer cells.