Patent ID: 8906684

Claim:
A method for the microscale patterning of mammalian cells in 3-dimensions comprising: introducing a population of living mammalian cells in a patterning buffer into a chamber of a dielectrophoresis (DEP) apparatus, wherein the DEP apparatus comprises a positive electrode and a negative electrode, wherein one or both electrodes are micropatterned, a power source, wherein both electrodes are attached to the power source, a bottom support comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, a gasket sealed to the top surface of the bottom support to form the chamber, and at least one opening in the chamber through which fluid and gases can be introduced into or purged from the chamber; applying voltage from the power source for a time sufficient to generate a dielectrophoretic (DEP) field in the chamber which results from the one or both micropatterned electrodes, allowing for patterning at specific regions on the one or both micropatterned electrodes and retention of cells from the population of living cells; removing the patterning buffer from the chamber; introducing a mixture of photosensitive biopolymer and photopolymerizing agent into the chamber; selectively photopolymerizing the biopolymer by shining light through a patterned mask on the top surface, bottom surface, or both surfaces, to provide patterned microstructures having a resolution of 30 to 50 microns; and discontinuing the DEP field such that microscale patterning of the cells in 3-dimensions is achieved.