A New Process For Biomolecule Patterning

Tech ID: 17582 / UC Case 2006-013-0

Abstract

Patterning of biomolecules is important in areas like biological analysis, diagnostics and genomics. In addition, molecular patterning could be useful for spatial control of various surface properties such as hydrophobicity and surface charge.

Currently, molecules are patterned using lithography, stamping, or using scanning tips. Lithography requires either specially synthesized light-sensitive molecules or exposure to developing solutions for photoresists, which are usually incompatible with sensitive molecules. The other two processes involve a mechanical transfer of molecules between a stamp or a scanning tip and the surface to be patterned and are therefore highly sensitive to surface tension, transport on the tip and other surface phenomena. These techniques also require specialized scanning tips or alignment equipment. While these techniques are useful for patterning two-dimensional patterns on surfaces with sub-micron resolution, no technique exists for patterning within confined regions such as small microchannels or nanochannels.

Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new technique for patterning molecules that is compatible with sensitive molecules and can be used in confined areas. The process can be used for applications in microfluidics and nanofluidics, where patterning using other techniques is not possible. The method is also useful for patterning of surface properties such as surface charge. Other applications include patterning biomolecules such as antibodies inside of nanopipettes and patterning sensitive biomolecules on flat surfaces.