Micro-patterning of mammalian cells on suspended MEMS resonant sensors for long-term growth measurements

Lab Chip. 2014 Apr 21;14(8):1401-4. doi: 10.1039/c3lc51217g.

Abstract

MEMS resonant mass sensors can measure the mass of individual cells, though long-term growth measurements are limited by the movement of cells off the sensor area. Micro-patterning techniques are a powerful approach to control the placement of individual cells in an arrayed format. In this work we present a method for micro-patterning cells on fully suspended resonant sensors through select functionalization and passivation of the chip surface. This method combines high-resolution photolithography with a blanket transfer technique for applying photoresist to avoid damaging the sensors. Cells are constrained to the patterned collagen area on the sensor by pluronic acting as a cell adhesion blocker. This micro-patterning method enables long-term growth measurements, which is demonstrated by a measurement of the change in mass of a human breast cancer cell over 18 h.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Humans
  • Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems / instrumentation*
  • Microtechnology / instrumentation*
  • Surface Properties