Web Release Date: January 29,
Directed Positioning of Single Cells in Microwells Fabricated by Scanning Probe Lithography and Wet Etching Methods
and
School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea, Department of Chemical Engineering, Kwangwoon University, Seoul 139-701, Korea, and National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon 404-170, Korea
Received June 7, 2007
In Final Form: November 15, 2007
Abstract:
Scanning probe microscopy has emerged as a powerful technique for mapping the surface morphology of biological specimens, including proteins and cells. In addition to providing measurements of topographic images, it enables the fabrication of micro-/nanostructures with a high spatial resolution. Herein, we demonstrate a simple and reliable method for the preparation of single Escherichia coli bacterial cell arrays using pre-fabricated microwell structures. Using a <100>-oriented silicon substrate, microwell arrays with inclined sidewalls were fabricated by scanning probe lithography and sequential chemical wet etching. The trapping efficiency of single cells was optimized by controlling the geometries of the microwells. These data suggest that single-cell arrays may be applicable in a variety of areas, including drug testing and toxicology, as well as basic cell biology.
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