Easy alignment strategy for multi-level micropatterning

Aurore Estève (1) , Xavier Dollat (2) , Laura Lin (3) , David Lin (3) , Aline Cerf (1)

1 LAAS-ELIA - Équipe Ingénierie pour les sciences du vivant
2 LAAS-I2C - Service Instrumentation Conception Caractérisation
3 Cornell University [New York]

In recent years, there has been a strong demand in the biological community for multiplexed protein patterns for the control and study of cellular growth at subcellular and cellular length scales. Here, an easy alignment strategy for multi-level micropatterning is proposed enabling the broadening of patterning possibilities and the increase of architecturing complexity. In practice, our method consists of a set of custom-made machined holders for standardized fabrication of polymeric stamps and for controlled alignment of successive printing steps. With this approach, three interdigitated protein patterns of 5 μm width were successfully obtained with an angular alignment precision below 0.55° and a lateral alignment accuracy of less than 35 μm over areas of 1 cm2. After growth of primary neurons onto these multiplexed substrates, guided neurite extension was observed along the patterns.

Domaines: Sciences de l'ingénieur [physics]

Aurore Estève, Xavier Dollat, Laura Lin, David Lin, Aline Cerf. Easy alignment strategy for multi-level micropatterning. Microelectronic Engineering, 2018, 193, pp.7-12. ⟨10.1016/j.mee.2018.02.005⟩. ⟨hal-02060569⟩