Nanoscale Confinement of Dip-Pen Nanolithography Written Phospholipid Structures on CuZr Nanoglasses

Nanoglasses have attracted considerable interest among material scientists due to their novel and surprising properties. However, there is still a significant gap in understanding how nanoglasses interact with biomaterials and their effects on living cells. Previous cell studies have reported indications of possible proliferation effects, but a comprehensive understanding of differentiating nanoglass influences from distinct material or topography effects is yet to be established. In this study, the interaction between nanoglass surfaces and phospholipids, which are fundamental components of cell membranes, is investigated. The findings reveal a unique stabilizing effect exhibited by nanoglasses on structures created using lipid dip-pen nanolithography, preventing their spreading over the surface ("confinement"). This discovery suggests that nanoglasses can potentially influence the structure of cell membranes, providing a conceivable mechanism for how nanoglasses may impact cell behavior. Columnar nanoglasses show a peculiar confinement of phospholipid membranes written by dip-pen nanolithography. It observes a distinct confinement of spreading in comparison to homogeneous films of the same metal glass, not attributed to roughness. Additionally, ripple-like membrane states can be observed on columnar nanoglasses. These results show a possible route to how membrane/nanoglass interactions could influence cell behavior. image