Figure 4.8 PVECs grown on untextured Figure 4.9 PVECs grown on 5 [im spacing
fibronectin coated LMW sample stained 1.5 [im deep untreated LMW stained with
with hematoxylin hematoxylin



Contact Guidance on Textured Surfaces of Varying Modulus

 The main unknown factor in the design of this project is the modulus of the

material and its effect on contact guidance. As discussed in Chapter 2, many different

materials, from metals to elastomers, have been examined in the study of direct cell

growth. In published research on contact guidance, the modulus of the sample substrate

is very rarely reported. Most materials used with different mechanical properties have

also significantly different surface energetic, which directly affects protein adsorption

and adhesion, making a comparison due to modulus improbable. These effects would

more than likely wash out any change due to the effects of mechanical properties. The

purpose of this section is to examine whether or not the modulus, as a measure of the

compliance, can significantly affect the ability of a material to direct cell growth in the

range covered by these materials.