Micropatterning: Surface functionalization

Control the biochemistry of the in vitro cell microenvironment on stiff or soft cell culture substrates through custom protein micropatterning with PRIMO. As a maskless photopatterning system, PRIMO allows to use any image for creating protein micropatterns according to your needs and thus rapidly optimize your experiments.

Key steps of protein micropatterning with PRIMO

PRIMO photopatterning module allows to project on the substrate any image you want in order to create a protein micropattern. The combined action of UV (λ=375nm) and PLPP degrades the anti-fouling coating, in only a few seconds. The protein can then be added and will adsorb on the illuminated areas only.

Mechanism of micropatterning with PRIMO maskless micropatterning system

PRIMO: a versatile micropatterning technology

As a maskless photopatterning technique, PRIMO is compatible with all standard cell culture substrates (stiff or soft) and also with substrates specific to imaging techniques, such as EM grids for cryo-electron tomography.

Standard substrates:

glass coverslips, plastic Petri dishes, etc.

Epifluorescence microscopy
Epifluorescence microscopy image of 2 µm horizontal lines of Protein A-488 on glass.
Fibroblasts plated on fibronectin micropatterns
Fibroblasts plated on fibronectin micropatterns on a glass coverslip (after 2 weeks).

Soft substrates:

PDMS, hydrogel, polyacrylamide gel, etc.

Epifluorescence microscopy image
1.5 µm dots - spaced by 1.5 µm- of ProteinA-488 on PDMS.
Functionalized hydrogel: "In overlay: radial fluorescence intensity profile (red) of the FITC signal. Right panel: cells adhering on the corresponding pattern with fibronectin at day 0." A. Pasturel et al., BioRxiv, 2018

EM grids:

Carbon or SiO2 film, R2/1, R1/4, R1/20, etc.

GFP fibrinogen micropatterns on carbon layer EM grid with gold frame.
GFP fibrinogen micropatterns on carbon layer EM grid with gold frame.
Fibrobasts on micropatterned carbon EM grid.
Fibrobasts on micropatterned carbon EM grid. Collaboration with V. Mordhost and K. Grünewald.

Micropatterning of a wide range of molecules

More than 10 proteins are used daily by our users:
Fibrinogen-488, Fibrinogen-647, Fibronectin, GFP, Neutravidin-488, Neutravidin-647, PLL-PEG-Biotin, Protein A-647, Streptavidin, as well as primary and secondary antibodies, etc.

Do you have a question about your project of experiment with PRIMO?

Our research and application development team can help you set up or optimize your experimental protocols!

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Substrate structuration

– Microfabrication
– Hydrogel structuration

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Substrate structuration and functionalization

– Complex cell microenvironments

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