Stereomask lithography (SML): a universal multi-object micro-patterning technique for biological applications

Lab Chip. 2011 Jan 21;11(2):224-30. doi: 10.1039/c0lc00275e. Epub 2010 Nov 26.

Abstract

The advent of biological micro-patterning techniques has given new impetus to many areas of biological research, including quantitative biochemical analysis, tissue engineering, biosensing, and regenerative medicine. Derived from photolithography or soft lithography, current bio-patterning approaches have yet to completely address the needs of out-of-cleanroom, universal applicability, high feature resolution, as well as multi-object placement, though many have shown great promise to precisely pattern one specific biomaterial. In this paper, we present a novel versatile biological lithography technique to achieve integrated multi-object patterning with high feature resolution and high adaptability to various biomaterials, referred to as stereomask lithography (SML). Successive patterning of multiple objects is enabled by using unique three-dimensional masks (i.e., the stereomasks), which lay out current micropatterns while protecting pre-existing biological features on the substrate. Furthermore, high-precision reversible alignment among multiple bio-objects is achieved by adopting a peg-in-hole design between the substrate and stereomasks. We demonstrate that the SML technique is capable of constructing a complex biological microenvironment with various bio-functional components at the single-cell resolution, which to the best of our knowledge has not been realized before.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Cattle
  • Mice
  • Microtechnology / methods
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Protein Array Analysis / methods*
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine / chemistry
  • Tissue Array Analysis / methods*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine