Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 11, 2026
Stencil Micropatterning of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells for Probing Spatial Organization of Differentiation Fates
Published on: June 17, 2016
Protocol for the generation of three-dimensional micropatterned neuroepithelial tissues using hPSCs, bioprinting, and
Kenneth Kin Lam Wong1, Negin Imani Farahani1, George Allen2
1Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada; Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada; Institute for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada.
Abstract:
Micropatterning technology that spatially guides the self-assembly of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into neural tissues offers enhanced fidelity to investigate early neurodevelopment and disease mechanisms. Here, we present a protocol to produce micropatterned and scaffolded neuroepithelial tissues (scNETs) from hPSCs, leveraging three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting to deposit extracellular matrix (ECM) droplets with defined geometries. We describe steps for bioprinting of ECM micropatterns, hPSC culture and seeding, and the subsequent neural induction process to form scNETs within 5 days. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Imani Farahani et al.1.
