title: Directed positioning of single cells in microwells fabricated by scanning probe lithography and wet etching methods.
abstract: Scanning probe microscopy has emerged as a powerful technique for mapping the surface morphology of biological specimens, including proteins and cells. In addition to providing measurements of topographic images, it enables the fabrication of micro-/nanostructures with a high spatial resolution. Herein, we demonstrate a simple and reliable method for the preparation of single Escherichia coli bacterial cell arrays using pre-fabricated microwell structures. Using a <100>-oriented silicon substrate, microwell arrays with inclined sidewalls were fabricated by scanning probe lithography and sequential chemical wet etching. The trapping efficiency of single cells was optimized by controlling the geometries of the microwells. These data suggest that single-cell arrays may be applicable in a variety of areas, including drug testing and toxicology, as well as basic cell biology.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea.
authors.forename: Inhee
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Young In
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yun-Jung
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Younghun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ji-Sook
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: Kyunghee
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jongheop
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yi
mesh_terms: D002448:Cell Adhesion; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology*; D020527:Microscopy, Scanning Probe / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D012825:Silicon