Simultaneous Dual Encoding of Three-Dimensional Structures by Light-Induced Modular Ligation.

A highly efficient strategy for the simultaneous dual surface encoding of 2D and 3D microscaffolds is reported. The combination of an oligo(ethylene glycol)-based network with two novel and readily synthesized monomers with photoreactive side chains yields two new photoresists, which can be used for the fabrication of microstructures (by two-photon polymerization) that exhibit a dual-photoreactive surface. By combining both functional photoresists into one scaffold, a dual functionalization pattern can be obtained by a single irradiation step in the presence of adequate reaction partners based on a self-sorting mechanism. The versatility of the approach is shown by the dual patterning of halogenated and fluorescent markers as well as proteins. Furthermore, we introduce a new ToF-SIMS mode ("delayed extraction") for the characterization of the obtained microstructures that combines high mass resolution with improved lateral resolution.