Current bilayer culture models do not allow for functional in vitro studies that mimic in vivo microenvironments. Using polyethylene glycol and a zinc oxide templating method, this protocol describes the development of an ultrathin biomimetic basement membrane with tunable stiffness, porosity, and biochemical composition that closely mimics in vivo extracellular matrices.
Pellowe, A. S., Lauridsen, H. M., Matta, R., Gonzalez, A. L. Ultrathin Porated Elastic Hydrogels As a Biomimetic Basement Membrane for Dual Cell Culture. J. Vis. Exp. (130), e56384, doi:10.3791/56384 (2017).