title: Versatile method to generate multiple types of micropatterns.
abstract: Micropatterning techniques have become an important tool for the study of cell behavior in controlled microenvironments. As a consequence, several approaches for the creation of micropatterns have been developed in recent years. However, the diversity of substrates, coatings, and complex patterns used in cell science is so great that no single existing technique is capable of fabricating designs suitable for all experimental conditions. Hence, there is a need for patterning protocols that are flexible with regard to the materials used and compatible with different patterning strategies to create more elaborate setups. In this work, the authors present a versatile approach to micropatterning. The protocol is based on plasma treatment, protein coating, and a poly(L-lysine)-grafted-poly(ethylene glycol) backfill step, and produces homogeneous patterns on a variety of substrates. Protein density within the patterns can be controlled, and density gradients of surface-bound protein can be formed. Moreover, by combining the method with microcontact printing, it is possible to generate patterns composed of three different components within one iteration of the protocol. The technique is simple to implement and should enable cell science labs to create a broad range of complex and highly specialized microenvironments.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physics and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, D-80539 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Felix Jakob
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Segerer
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physics and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, D-80539 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter Johan Friedrich
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Röttgermann
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research, Pharmaceutical Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schuster
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physics and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, D-80539 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piera Alberola
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research, Pharmaceutical Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zahler
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physics and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, D-80539 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Joachim Oskar
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Rädler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D004285:Dogs; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000502:physiology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; D006801:Humans; D061985:Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D058626:Plasma Gases; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000378:metabolism; D011107:Polylysine / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013499:Surface Properties; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D058626:Plasma Gases; D011506:Proteins; D011107:Polylysine; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols