Speaker
Description
Micrometric devices have attracted increasing attention for biomedical applications.[1] However, despite their biocompatibility and tunable surface chemistry, they often exhibit limited cellular uptake [2,3]. Self-assembled monolayers represent a reliable approach for modifying the surface chemistry of nano- and micromaterials. In this work, silicon oxide microchips (SiOµC) were functionalized with various silane derivatives to generate surfaces with different charge and wettability. Additionally, fluorescent labeling was added and enabled characterization and in vitro tracking.
Successful and stable modification was confirmed by water contact angle measurements and fluorescence imaging. Cytocompatibility was evaluated in HeLa and HaCaT cells, showing overall biocompatibility. Cellular association and internalization were assessed by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Positively charged SiOµC achieved the most efficient internalization, with up to 90% of HeLa cells containing internalized microchips at higher cell-to-chip ratios. These results highlight the critical role of surface chemistry in enabling cellular uptake of micrometer-sized silicon oxide microchips for biomedical applications.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Project PID-2023-146658NB-C3 was funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. We also thank AGAUR (Generalitat de Catalunya) for a grant to consolidated research groups 2021 SGR 01085.
REFERENCES
1. Janjua, T. I.; Cao, Y.; Kleitz, F.; Linden, M.; Yu, C.; Popat, A. Silica Nanoparticles: A Review of Their Safety and Current Strategies to Overcome Biological Barriers. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023, 203, 115115.
2. Bruce, G.; Bagherpour, S.; Duch, M.; Plaza, J. A.; Stolnik, S.; Pérez-García, L. Exploring the Influence of Silicon Oxide Microchips Shape on Cellular Uptake Using Imaging Flow Cytometry. Microchimica Acta 2024, 191, 554.
3. Bagherpour, S.; Vázquez, P.; Duch, M.; Pablo Agusil, J.; Plaza, J. A.; Redondo-Horcajo, M.; Suárez, T.; Pérez-García, L. Silicon Oxide Microchips Functionalized with Fluorescent Probes for Quantitative Real-Time Glutathione Sensing in Living Cells. J Mater Chem B 2024, 13, 1630-1642.
