Monitoring of cellular behaviors by microcavity array-based single-cell patterning

In this study, we describe a less invasive and rapid single-cell patterning technique for monitoring of cellular behaviors. To form a high-density grid pattern of living cells, single cells were firstly captured on a geometry-controlled array pattern of 100,000 microcavities by applying negative pressure. The captured cells on the microcavities were immersed in an agarose solution and embedded in agarose gels. The high efficiency transfer of individual yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and diatom cells (Fistulifera sp.) onto agarose gels was successfully achieved in 20 min. The patterning process had no effect on the cell proliferation or division. These results indicate that this technique shows a dramatic increase in patterning efficiency compared to previous patterning technologies. Furthermore, it allows the long-term monitoring of diatom cell divisions for 24 h. Continuous long-term observation of single cells provides technological advantages for the successful acquisition of information to better understand cellular activities.