Generation of primary hepatocyte microarrays by piezoelectric printing

► Single-step generation of collagen and poly-l-Lysine (PLL) micropatterns on a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) functionalized glass surface for cell based assays. ► The spotted protein micropatterns remain stable on the PEG surface even after extensive washing. ► NIH-3T3 fibroblasts attach to PLL and collagen micropatterns whereas primary rat hepatocytes adhered and spread only on collagen micropatterns. ► This differing affinity enables to create a well structured microscale co-culturing system: primary hepatocyte arrays surrounded by NIH-3T3 fibroblasts. ► Large scale formation of primary rat hepatocyte arrays was demonstrated. ► NIH-3T3 fibroblast single cell arrays were formed on PLL micropatterns.