Size-Tunable Organic Nanodot Arrays: A Versatile Platform for Manipulating and Imaging Cells

Abstract : Arrays of protein nano-dots with dot-size tuned independently of spacing (e.g. ~100 to 600 nm diameter for 900 nm spacing) are fabricated. The mechanism of size control is demonstrated, by numerical simulations, to arise from shadow effects during deposition of a sacrificial metal mask. We functionalize the nano-dots with antibodies and embed them in a polymer-cushion or in lipid-bilay-ers, or transfer them to soft elastomers. Their ability to influence cell architecture and local membrane organization is demonstrated in T-lymphocytes, using reflection interference contrast and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. TEXT Nano-patterning of bio-molecules on surfaces is currently an important tool for bio-engineering and cutting-edge cell biology studies. 1-9 Experiments on cellular interactions with such patterned surfaces provide insights into the mechanisms of cell adhesion, and this knowledge in turn is used to optimize the performance of artificial soft tissue grafts and prosthesis (see reviews 10-12 and references