Abstract
Micropatterning is becoming a powerful tool for studying morphogenetic and differentiation processes of cells. Here we present a new micropatterning technique in which polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates were treated with oxygen plasma, and the resulting hydrophilic layer of the surface was locally peeled off through a direct contact with a peeling stamp. A hydrophobic layer of PDMS substrates could be selectively exposed only at the places of the physical contact, allowing for spatially selective adhesions of cells. Chemical bases for the successful cell micropatterning were confirmed with water contact angle measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
