Patterning surface by site selective capture of biopolymer hydrogel beads

This communication describes the fabrication of microstructured biopolymer surfaces by the site-selective capture of pectin hydrogel beads. A positively charged surface consisting of poly-l-lysine (PLL) was subjected to site-selective enzymatic degradation using patterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamps covalently modified with trypsin, according to the recently described method [1]. The patterned surface was used to capture ionically cross-linked pectin beads. The desired patterning of the hydrogel surfaces was generated by site-selective immobilization of these pectin beads. The ability of the hydrogels to be dried and swollen in water was assessed.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► We describe the fabrication of microstructured surfaces by the site-selective capture of hydrogel beads. ► A surface of poly-l-lysine (PLL) was patterned to site-selective enzymatic degradation. ► The patterned surface was used to capture ionically cross-linked pectin beads. ► The ability of the hydrogels to be dried and swollen in water was assessed.