Generation of Protein Nanogradients by Microcontact Printing

High resolution lithography combined with microcontact printing (µCP) by means of polyolefine polymer (POP) stamps enabled to create protein gradient patterns. By this means, discrete purely biochemical gradients of extracellular matrix proteins were fabricated. It was possible to adjust independently both the size of elements of a protein pattern and the distance between them with sub 100 nm resolution. Adhesion of primary neurons and directed neuronal outgrowth were observed on these protein patterns. Cellular constituents such as filopodia adhere to different printed protein elements of the discontinuous gradient including features as small as 75 nm.