Methods for Cell Micropatterning on Two-Dimensional Surfaces and Their Applications in Biology

The technologies that we call as cell micropatterning allow the control of the shape and size of cell adhesion. Combination of micro/nano technology, surface chemistry, electrochemistry, and photochemistry enables us to control the adhesion, migration, differentiation of cells, and the interactions between different types of cells. These methodologies bring about a new platform for the studies of cell biology. This article reviews a number of techniques for cell patterning and compares their advantages and disadvantages. It also reviews certain applications of cell micropatterning, including those for fundamental studies in cell biology, tissue engineering, and cell-based biosensors.