Addressable micropatterning of multiple proteins and cells by microscope projection photolithography based on a protein friendly photoresist.

We report a new method for the micropatterning of multiple proteins and cells with micrometer-scale precision. Microscope projection photolithography based on a new protein-friendly photoresist, poly(2,2-dimethoxy nitrobenzyl methacrylate-r-methyl methacrylate-r-poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) (PDMP), was used for the fabrication of multicomponent protein/cell arrays. Microscope projection lithography allows precise registration between multiple patterns as well as facile fabrication of microscale features. Thin films of PDMP became soluble in near-neutral physiological buffer solutions upon UV exposure and exhibited excellent resistance to protein adsorption and cell adhesion. By harnessing advantages in microscope projection photolithography and properties of PDMP thin films, we could successfully fabricate protein arrays composed of multiple proteins. Furthermore, we could extend this method for the patterning of two different types of immune cells for the potential study of immune cell interactions. This technique will in general be useful for protein chip fabrication and high-throughput cell-cell communication study.