Using laser direct-write to precisely pattern cells on glass cover slips

Abstract

Laser direct-write (LDW) is a biofabrication method capable of rapidly creating precise patterns of viable cells. While previous studies have successfully printed cells to polystyrene Petri dishes, here we have adapted LDW to printing both human dermal fibroblasts and mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to cover slips, allowing more efficient use of culture reagents. Viability of both cell types was shown by cell adhesion and spreading under phase contrast microscopy 24 hours after transfer. Fibroblasts maintain a high degree of print registry, whereas mESCs tend to lose registry, most likely due to longer attachment times. Future work will address registry improvement by creating a suitable post-transfer environment to account for longer attachment time.