Spheroform: Therapeutic Spheroid-Forming Nanotextured Surfaces Inspired by Desert Beetle Physosterna cribripes

Abstract

An approach is presented to create arrays of quasi-spherical microdroplets by surfaces called “spheroform” inspired by micro-/nanostructures found in the back of the Namib desert beetle. Spheroform is fabricated by microarray formation of catecholamine polymers on the superhydrophobic background. Spheroform is able to precisely control spheroid sizes of therapeutic islet cells and mesenchymal stem cells. The therapeutic spheroids exhibit improved biochemical activities.