Patterned Delivery of Immunoglobulins to Surfaces Using Microfluidic Networks

Microfluidic networks (uFN) can be used to pattern biomolecules with high resolution on a variety of substrates (gold, glass, or polystyrene). Elastomeric uFNs localize chemical reactions between the biomolecules and the surface, requiring only microliters of reagent to cover mm2-sized areas. The networks were designed to insure stability and filling of the uFN and allow a homogeneous distribution and robust attachment of material to the substrate along the conduits in the uFN. Immunoglobulins patterned on substrates using uFNs remained strictly confined to areas enclosed by the network with submicron resolution and were viable for subsequent use in assays. The approach is simple and general enough to suggest a practical way to incorporate biological material on technological substrates.