A versatile and tunable bio-patterning platform for the construction of various cell array biochips

In this work, we report a versatile and tunable platform for the construction of various cell array biochips using a simple soft lithographic approach to pattern polydopamine (PDA) arrays via microcontact printing (mu CP). Instead of direct polymerization of PDA on the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) tips, dopamine monomers were first printed on the substrate followed by a self-oxidative polymerization step facilitated by ammonia vapor to grow PDA in situ, which greatly reduced the reaction time and prevented the PDMS tips from damaging. The improved robustness and utility of the PDMS tips allows the formation of tunable PDA array chips with controllable PDA feature size and shape. As a result, single cell, multi-cells and cell line arrays can be constructed. The obtained cell array chips showed high single cell capture efficiency, providing a standardized single cell array analysis platform. Meanwhile, the adhered cells can maintain excellent viability and proliferation ability on the PDA chips. Moreover, a cytotoxicity sensor with single cell resolution was enabled on the single cell array chip. This work provides a promising cell array biochip platform for high-throughput cellular analysis and cell screening.

Automated summary

In this work, a versatile and tunable platform for constructing various cell array biochips was developed using a simple soft lithographic approach. The platform utilizes a microcontact printing technique to pattern polydopamine (PDA) arrays. By printing dopamine monomers on the substrate and facilitating self-oxidative polymerization with ammonia vapor, PDA growth is achieved in situ, reducing the reaction time and preventing damage to the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) tips. The resulting cell array chips demonstrate high single cell capture efficiency, excellent cell viability and proliferation, and the capability for cytotoxicity sensing at single-cell resolution.