FIG. 1.

Schematic of channel design and PDMS preparation. PDMS culture substrate consists of channels and two flat surfaces at each end. The flat areas are leveled with the groove, and the ridges are 50 μm in height. Both the grooves and ridges are of equal widths. Three different channel sizes, 50, 100, and 150 μm, are prepared. After coating with PDL, a square medium holder is placed at one end of the flat area near the edge of the channels. SCs are seeded in the holder for initial attachment. After 24 h, the holder is removed and the medium is added to the entire surface. Phase-contrast images of the three different channel sizes, 50, 100, and 150 μm, are shown on the right. PDL, poly-D-lysine; PDMS, polydimethylsiloxane; SCs, Schwann cells. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tec