Electrochemical In-Situ Micropatterning of Cells and Polymers

Abstract

We report two novel techniques "Electrochemical Bio-Lithography" that enables in-situ cellular micropatterning, and "Ultra Anisotropic Electrodeposition" for making micropatterns of conducting polymers. The former technique for cellular micropatterning was combined with dielectrophoresis (DEP) and AFM, and we have realized the in-situ spatiotemporal cellular micropatterning in various environments. On the other hand, we have found the micropatterned hydrophobic area around electrode serves as a template for in-situ circuit formation with conducting polymers. Importantly, since the electropolymerization can be conducted without significant damage to the existing cell cultures, these two techniques can be combined to form hybrid micropatterns of cells and conducting polymers. © 2009 International Federation of Medical and Biological Engineering.