Precise Patterning of Silk Microstructures Using Photolithography

Photolithography is used in conjunction with a silk fibroin photoresist to form precise protein microstructures directly and rapidly on a variety of substrates. High-resolution features in two and three dimensions with line widths down to one micrometer are formed. Photo-crosslinked protein structures guide cell adhesion, providing precise spatial control of cells without requiring adhesive ligands.