Abstract: The ability to control cell patterning on artificial substrates with various physicochemical properties is of essence for important implications in cytology and biomedical fields. Despite extensive progress, the ability to control the cell-surface interaction is complicated by the complexity in the physiochemical features of bioactive surfaces. In particular, the manifestation of special wettability rendered by the combination of surface roughness and surface chemistry further enriches the cell-surface interaction. Herein we investigated the cell adhesion behaviors of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) on topographically patterned but chemically homogeneous surfaces. Harnessing the distinctive cell adhesion on surfaces with different topography, we further explored the feasibility of controlled cell patterning using periodic lattices of alternative topographies. We envision that our method provides a designer’s toolbox to manage the extracellular environment.

Key words: cell patterning, superhydrophilic, surface chemistry, circulating tumor cells, wettability