Arraying Single Adherent Cells by Microplate Self-Assembly

This paper describes a method for handling a single adherent cell using a self-assembly technique. We produce microplates using Parylene with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic sides. We culture the cells on the hydrophilic side, and utilize the hydrophobic side to self-assemble the plates onto the hydrophobic regions. Culturing a single cell on each Parylene microplate facilitates their handling since we can manipulate them as floating cells, and easily relocate them without the loss of cellular activity. In our experiment, we assemble 50 mum circle microplates with adherent cells in an array.