Abstract
This paper describes a method for assembly of three-dimensional (3D) microstructures powered by cell traction forces. We seeded cells onto biocompatible parylene microplates on a glass substrate. The cells were adhered and stretched onto the plates. Immediately after detaching the plates from the substrate, the plates were lifted and folded up into 3D microstructures due to the traction forces caused by stretched cells between two microplates. Using this method we produced various 3D microstructures such as cubes, regular dodecahedrons and cylindrical tubes. We believe that this method is useful to fold 2D plates into 3D microstructures. Also, it is expected to be useful in biotechnological applications that require analysis of cells in 3D configurations.
