High throughput micropatterning of interspersed cell arrays using capillary assembly.

Abstract

A novel technology is reported to immobilize different types of particles or cells on a surface at predefined positions with a micrometric precision. The process uses capillary assembly on arrays of crescent-shaped structures with different orientations. Sequential assemblies in different substrate orientations with different types of particles allow for the creation of imbricated and multiplexed arrays. In this work up to four different types of particles were deterministically localized on a surface. Using this process, antibody coated microparticles were assembled on substrates and used as capture patterns for the creation of complex cell networks. This new technology may have numerous applications in biology, e.g. for fast cell imaging, cell-cell interactions studies, or construction of cell arrays.