Abstract
The ability to control protein and cell positioning on a microscopic scale is crucial in many biomedical and bioengineering applications, such as tissue engineering and the development of biosensors. We propose here a novel, simple, and versatile method for the micropatterning of proteins. Micropatterned substrates are produced by the dewetting of a metastable polymer film on top of another polymer film. Selective adsorption, or micropatterning, of proteins can be achieved on such substrates by choosing pairs of polymers which differ in protein affinity. In this study, patterns were produced in bilayers of poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS), and of PMMA and octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS). Fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) provide evidence that model proteins adsorb preferentially on isolated bio-adhesive (PS and OTS) micropatches in a protein-resistant (PMMA) matrix. "Inverse" protein patterns, containing non-adhesive (PMMA) islands in a protein-adhesive (PS) matrix can also be produced. Such micropatterned substrates could potentially be used in the development of biosensors and bioassays, and in the study of cell growth and motility.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
