SmartPattern® uses micrometer-scale adhesive patterns to control cell adhesion, shape and spatial organization. Choose static or dynamic formats, from coverslips and 35 mm dishes to 96- and 384-well plates, for microscopy, migration, mechanobiology and high-content screening.
CELL MICROPATTERNING
SUBSTRATES FOR REPRODUCIBLE 2D ASSAYS
WHY CONTROL CELL GEOMETRY IN 2D ASSAYS?
On conventional cell-culture surfaces, cell shape, spreading and position vary from one cell to another, which can complicate quantitative imaging and the comparison of cellular phenotypes. SmartPattern confines cell adhesion to predefined micrometer-scale domains, creating standardized geometrical conditions across cells and experiments.
Researchers can therefore investigate how cell shape and spatial organization influence cytoskeletal architecture, polarity, migration, differentiation and mechanotransduction, while retaining the accessibility and imaging compatibility of a 2D assay.
Easy to use
High Throughput
High resolution imaging
Long term cell culture
PLATE YOUR CELLS. LET THEM ADHERE. MEASURE.
STATIC MICROPATTERNING
Cells are cultured on a substrate patterned with adherent micrometer-sized domains of predefined geometric features. When cultured on this, cells adhere specifically to the patterned area, for example, acquiring the geometry of the pattern.
Cell culture supports receive a covalently bound surface chemistry treatment with an oxidation-resistant anti-adhesive polymer. Less sensitive to oxidation than a classical polymer with the same type of covalent bonding to the glass slide. After plating, cells can remain confined to the patterns for up to two weeks. Unused substrates can be stored up to 6 months.
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Different pattern shapes and dimensions (lines, squares, triangles, rectangles, grids, etc.)
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Customized shapes and dimensions
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Adaptable to any cell culture substrate (from Petri dishes to 384 well plates) – from single cell to high throughput and high content screening analysis
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Compatible with high-resolution optical microscopy systems
DYNAMIC MICROPATTERNING
Dynamic SmartPattern combines 4Dcell’s micropatterning technology and click chemistry to induce cell migration from predefined geometries.
Cells are seeded on a micropatterned substrate and specifically adhere to cell-adhesive regions with very high resolution. The regions around the cells are non-adhesive at first but can be ‘switched on’ at any time to release the cells from their patterns.
As with standard micropatterning, it is possible to pattern the cells into customized shapes and dimensions.
Anti-adhesive polymer
Covalent and electrostatic bonding to the glass slide, stable for up to 3 months
The polymer can be rendered adhesive by a click chemistry reaction
Time lapse of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) migration on 4Dcell dynamic micropatterns
The cells are initially patterned in 500 µm disks. At t0, the cells are released from their patterns and migrate while maintaining a circular shape.
MICROPATTERNING APPLICATIONS
SmartPattern enables researchers to control cell shape, spreading area, orientation and spatial organization while retaining the accessibility and imaging compatibility of a 2D assay. Static micropatterns provide predefined adhesive geometries, while Dynamic SmartPattern adds temporal control by allowing cells to be released from their initial confinement.
Standardized Cell Morphology and Quantitative Imaging
Confining cells to defined adhesive domains creates comparable geometrical conditions across cells and experiments. This facilitates quantitative analysis of cell spreading, polarity, cytoskeletal organization, organelle positioning and nuclear morphology.
Cell Migration and Wound Closure
Dynamic SmartPattern enables cells or cell populations to begin from a controlled geometry and migrate after activation of the surrounding adhesive regions. It supports time-lapse studies of individual or collective migration, cancer-cell motility and wound closure.
Cell Differentiation and Tissue Organization
Pattern shape, size and spacing can be adapted to control cell alignment and spatial organization. This controlled environment can support studies of differentiation, maturation and multicellular architecture involving cardiomyocytes, skeletal muscle cells, neurons, hepatocytes and other adherent cell types. Coating, geometry and culture conditions require cell-type-specific optimization.
Mechanobiology and Cell–Cell Interactions
Defined adhesive geometries support studies of mechanotransduction, cell contractility, nuclear mechanics, cell division and mechanically induced responses. Micropatterns can also be configured for separated co-cultures and controlled cell–cell interactions.
Explore SmartPattern Application Examples
CHOOSE THE RIGHT SMARTPATTERN SOLUTION
SMARTPATTERN SOLUTIONS
What it provides
Compatible workflows
Choose this solution when…
Micropatterned glass-bottom plates in 96- or 384-well formats, compatible with automated liquid handling and imaging
Single-cell or multicellular imaging, high-content screening, dose–response studies and automated workflows
Ready-to-use 35 mm glass-bottom dishes with predefined or customized micropatterns
Single-cell and multicellular imaging, live-cell studies, migration, differentiation and assay development
Ready-to-use 24 mm round glass coverslips with different pattern shapes and dimensions
Single-cell and multicellular imaging, immunofluorescence, live-cell imaging and experiments using imaging or perfusion chambers
Micropatterned substrates with surrounding regions that can be activated to release cells from their initial geometrical confinement
Cell migration, wound closure and spatiotemporal control of cell adhesion
You need higher throughput, multiple conditions, replicates or automation
You prefer a standard dish-based workflow with direct microscopy access
Your workflow requires a removable micropatterned substrate or a specific imaging chamber
The timing of cell release or migration is an experimental variable
Materials and protocol for producing adhesive micropatterns on glass substrates
In-house micropattern production, assay development and testing of standard or customized geometries
You want to produce and optimize micropatterned substrates in your own laboratory
A photomask with standard or customized pattern geometries for micropattern fabrication
Reproducible in-house production of defined micropattern designs
You already have a compatible fabrication workflow and need a precisely defined pattern layout