Microfabricated elastomeric stencils for micropatterning cell cultures

TLDR

The authors propose an inexpensive, surface‑modification‑free method for fabricating microscopic cellular cultures. The method uses a reusable elastomeric stencil with through‑holes that seals onto the substrate, allowing cells to seed only through the holes and forming patterned islands after the stencil is removed. The solvent‑free stencil approach is compatible with diverse substrates, biomolecules, and virtually all adherent cell types. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc., J Biomed Mater Res 52:346–353.

Abstract

Here we present an inexpensive method to fabricate microscopic cellular cultures, which does not require any surface modification of the substrate prior to cell seeding. The method utilizes a reusable elastomeric stencil (i.e., a membrane containing thru holes) which seals spontaneously against the surface. The stencil is applied to the cell-culture substrate before seeding. During seeding, the stencil prevents the substrate from being exposed to the cell suspension except on the hole areas. After cells are allowed to attach and the stencil is peeled off, cellular islands with a shape similar to the holes remain on the cell-culture substrate. This solvent-free method can be combined with a wide range of substrates (including biocompatible polymers, homogeneous or nonplanar surfaces, microelectronic chips, and gels), biomolecules, and virtually any adherent cell type. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 52, 346–353, 2000.