Hierarchically ordered nanopatterns for spatial control of biomolecules.

The development and study of a benchtop, high-throughput, and inexpensive fabrication strategy to obtain hierarchical patterns of biomolecules with sub-50 nm resolution is presented. A diblock copolymer of polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide), PS-b-PEO, is synthesized with biotin capping the PEO block and 4-bromostyrene copolymerized within the polystyrene block at 5 wt %. These two handles allow thin films of the block copolymer to be postfunctionalized with biotinylated biomolecules of interest and to obtain micropatterns of nanoscale-ordered films via photolithography. The design of this single polymer further allows access to two distinct superficial nanopatterns (lines and dots), where the PEO cylinders are oriented parallel or perpendicular to the substrate. Moreover, we present a strategy to obtain hierarchical mixed morphologies: a thin-film coating of cylinders both parallel and perpendicular to the substrate can be obtained by tuning the solvent annealing and irradiation conditions

Hierarchically Ordered Nanopatterns for Spatial Control of Biomolecules

The development and study of a benchtop, high-throughput, and inexpensive fabrication strategy to obtain hierarchical patterns of biomolecules with sub-50 nm resolution is presented. A diblock copolymer of polystyrene-<i>b</i>-poly(ethylene oxide), PS-<i>b</i>-PEO, is synthesized with biotin capping the PEO block and 4-bromostyrene copolymerized within the polystyrene block at 5 wt %. These two handles allow thin films of the block copolymer to be postfunctionalized with biotinylated biomolecules of interest and to obtain micropatterns of nanoscale-ordered films <i>via</i> photolithography. The design of this single polymer further allows access to two distinct superficial nanopatterns (lines and dots), where the PEO cylinders are oriented parallel or perpendicular to the substrate. Moreover, we present a strategy to obtain hierarchical mixed morphologies: a thin-film coating of cylinders both parallel and perpendicular to the substrate can be obtained by tuning the solvent annealing and irradiation conditions

Nanopatterning Biomolecules by Block Copolymer Self-Assembly

The fabrication of sub-100 nm features with bioactive molecules is a laborious and expensive process. To overcome these limitations, we present a modular strategy to create nanostructured substrates (ca. 25 nm features) using functional block copolymers (BCPs) based on poly­(styrene-<i>b</i>-ethylene oxide) to controllably promote or inhibit cell adhesion. A single type of BCP was functionalized with a peptide, a perfluorinated moiety, and both compounds, to tune nanoscale phase separation and interactions with NIH3T3 fibroblast cells. The focal adhesion formation and morphology of the cells were observed to vary dramatically according to the functionality presented on the surface of the synthetic substrate. It is envisioned that these materials will be useful as substrates that mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) given that the adhesion receptors of cells can recognize clustered motifs as small as 10 nm, and their spatial orientation can influence cellular responses

A Systematic Review of Discrete-Choice Experiments and Conjoint Analysis Studies in People with Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disabling, inflammatory, and degenerative disease of the central nervous system that, in most cases, requires long-term disease-modifying treatment (DMT). The drugs used vary in efficacy and adverse effect profiles. Several studies have used attribute-based stated-preference methods, primarily to investigate patient preferences for initiating or escalating DMT. Objectives: To conduct a systematic review of attribute-based stated-preference studies in people with MS to identify common methods employed and to assess study quality, with reference to the specific challenges of this disease area. Methods: We conducted a systematic search for studies related to attribute-based stated-preference and MS in multiple databases, including Cochrane and MEDLINE. Studies were included if they were published in a peer-reviewed journal, were on the topic of MS, and used a survey methodology that measured stated preferences for attributes of a whole. Analysis was conducted using narrative synthesis and summary statistics. Study quality was judged against the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) conjoint analysis checklist. Results: We identified 16 relevant articles reporting 17 separate studies, all but one focusing on DMTs. Most studies were discrete-choice experiments. Study quality was generally high, but we recommend the following: (1) that consideration of sample sizes be improved, (2) that survey design choices be justified and documented, (3) that qualitative approaches for attribute and level selection be incorporated to better involve patients, and (4) that reporting of experimental practice be improved. The effects of DMTs on reproduction and the impact of how risk and uncertainty are presented were identified as neglected research topics. The ISPOR conjoint analysis checklist was found to be unsuitable for the assessment of study quality. Conclusion: Attribute-based stated preference is a useful method with which to examine the preferences of people with MS in their choice of DMT. However, further research embracing the methodological recommendations identified, particularly greater use of qualitative methods in attribute development, is needed