Cell micropatterning using photopolymerization with a liquid crystal device commercial projector

Photopolymerization has been widely used for surface micropatterning. The technique often requires photomasks and light sources with appropriate energies or filters. For rapid prototyping of surface photo-micropatterning, we have developed a novel device by modifying a commercially available liquid crystal device projector. In place of the image expansion unit of the projector, we attached an image reduction unit, an adjustable stage, and an optical monitoring unit. The device projected computer-generated images onto surfaces and subjected these patterns to photopolymerization. Micropatterned images can be easily prepared with various software run on personal computers. With the developed photopolymerization device, micropatterning of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was achieved with PEG-diacrylate and a visible light photopolymerization initiator, camphorquinone. Selective cell adhesion control was also achieved on the micropatterned surfaces.