Laser-patterning bacterial nanocellulose for cell-controlled interaction

The interfacial topography of biomaterials has been identified as a major biophysical regulator of cell behavior and function, a role played through the interplay with biochemical cues. In this work, we demonstrate the potential of laser as a versatile technology for the direct fine-tuning of the topography of Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) with bioinspired topographies and micropatterns on a cell size scale. Two lasers were used, with different wavelengths—IR (CO₂, 10600 nm) and UV (tripled Nd: YVO₄, 355 nm) —attempting to reproduce the Pitcher-plant topography and to create cell-contact guidance patterns, respectively. Different topographies with parallel grooves featuring a 20–300 μm period were generated on the BNC surface with high fidelity and reliability of the generated microstructures, as demonstrated by 3D optical profilometry and scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, it was demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy that laser processing does not result in detectable chemical modification of BNC. The developed anisotropic microstructures can control cell behavior, particularly regarding morphology, alignment, and spatial distribution. Thus, this proof-of-concept study on the high-resolution laser patterning of BNC opens new perspectives for the development of cell-modulating laser-engineered BNC interfaces, scaffolds, and other advanced medical devices, which can potentially broaden the application of BNC in the biomedical field.