Application of Teflon-AF (R) thin films for bio-patterning of neural cell adhesion

Teflon AF(R), an amorphous copolymer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with 2,2-bis(triflouromethyl)-4,5-difluoro-1, 3-dioxole, has been receiving wid espread attention in the opto-electronics industries and elsewhere for its superior optical and dielectric properties. The objective of the present st udy was to investigate surface parameters that may be required for the appl ication of thin films of Teflon AF(R) in the fields of biomaterials and bio electronics. Using standard microelectronics procedures, micro-patterned th in films of Teflon-AF(R) were fabricated, and their surface properties moni tored and optimized with the aid of highly surface sensitive spectrometric techniques. Finally, their capability to inhibit or bio-pattern cell adhesi on was tested with various neural cell lines. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A . All rights reserved.