4.5. Micro-Groove Array Platform Fabrication

Micro-groove arrays were fabricated and used, as previously described [29]. Briefly, the platform was composed of two parts, i.e., one containing the groove array (bottom) and one used as a lid to close the groove (top). The lid covalently reacted with the bottom part, therefore, cells seeded on the groove array were encapsulated allowing an unambiguous tracking of cells and their progeny. The bottom part was made of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate copolymer (pHEMA-TMPTMA) and the permeable lid of self-assembling polyethylene glycol (PEG).