Simple and rapid process for single cell micro-patterning

Abstract

We present a simple and environmentally friendly process for cell patterning on glass covered with an ultrathin layer of poly-L-lysine-grafted-polyethylene glycol (PLL-g-PEG) by exposure to deep UV light. The patterned substrates are stable for months in the lab atmosphere before incubation with proteins. Incubation with proteins resulted in well defined patterns, with high feature resolution. RPE-1 cells seeded on fibronectin/fibrinogen–Alexa 488 patterns were constrained for days on the deep UV exposed regions. Finally, large glass plates were patterned with high homogeneity enabling the assembly of micro-patterned microplates in 96-well format.