ELASTOMERIC STENCILS FOR MICROPATTERNING CELLS

摘要

The present invention provides new fabrication methods and techniques for making and using stencils to micropattern cells. These techniques may allow the fabrication of thinner stencils. The invention provides a system for selectively applying cells to predetermined regions on a substrate. A stencil is positioned adjacent to a substrate to cover some portions of the substrate, while allowing other portions of the substrate to remain uncovered. The stencil may have one or more channels passing through the stencil, and in certain cases, the channels may have a cross-sectional dimension of less than 1 mm. The stencil may be applied to a cell culture substrate in such a way as to form a microscopic cellular pattern on the substrate, and the stencil may form a seal or other watertight contact with the substrate in some cases. In one embodiment, the stencil may be applied to a substrate before seeding. Cells are applied to the uncovered portions of the surface, then the stencil may be removed if desired. The stencil may be fabricated, for example, by injecting an elastomeric precursor into a mold, or by curing an elastomeric precursor while applying pressure. In some embodiments, the surface of the stencil may also be oxidized, or it may be treated in such a way as to render the surface of the stencil more hydrophilic, for example, by treating the surface using oxygen-plasma treatment.