Hybrid Nanostructures: Fibronectin–Carbon‐Nanotube Hybrid Nanostructures for Controlled Cell Growth (Small 1/2011)

The frontispiece image shows a fluorescence image of selective filopodial growth in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) along the underlying fibronectin–carbonnanotube (FN–CNT) hybrid nanostructures. The substrate is composed of 10-μm wide regions of FN–CNT hybrid nanostructures and 20-μm wide regions of FN-coated glass. Actin filaments are represented as red, and vinculins are represented as green. Since the width of the FN–CNT hybrid nanostructures is smaller than the size of hMSCs, several filopodial extensions are observed in a single hMSC. The strong affinity of hMSCs to the FN–CNT hybrid nanostructures results in the selective filopodial extensions. Interestingly, the focal adhesion sites, represented by vinculins, at the leading edges of hMSCs draw selective filopodial extensions following FN–CNT hybrid nanostructures. For more information, please read the Communication “Fibronectin–Carbon-Nanotube Hybrid Nanostructures for Controlled Cell Growth” by J. M. Nam, S. Hong, and co-workers, beginning on page 55.