Abstract
This study demonstrates two-dimensional (2D) cell patterning using label-free magnetic cell assembly method. In this patterning method, we added a paramagnetic salt, gadolinium-tetraazacyclododecanetetraacetic acid (Gd-DOTA) to increase the magnetic susceptibility of the medium. As a result, the cells act as a diamagnetic particle and can be manipulated by magnetic force without magnetic labeling. First, we examined the magnet array using a finite element method based software and determined the suitable arrangement for line and space patterning that consisted of neodymium magnets 1 mm in thickness and Teflon sheets 0.1 mm in thickness. Next, mouse fibroblast cell NIH 3T3 cells were patterned using the magnet array. One hour later, almost all cells were confined in the area 300 μm in width at intervals of 1100 μm. The result indicates that the label-free magnetic cell assembly method can be applicable for 2D cell patterning and suitable for cell patterning in closed space such as a microchannel.
