Fine virtual cathode display for biomolecules control and cell nano surgery

Electron beam (EB) induced fine virtual cathode (VC) on a 100-nm-thick SiN membrane has been developed using inverted-EB lithography (I-EBL). Here we present electrokinetic property of the VC for biological materials and instantly control their spatio-temporal responses using the VC. Negatively charged biomolecules (proteins, DNAs) respond to locally injected negative electrons of VC, and change their electrostatic interaction which affects the molecular aggregation/dissociation and adhesion/detachment in water solution. So, we call this technique virtual cathode display for biomolecules. This technique was applied to in-situ molecules patterning for mechanical strain microscopy and pinpoint transmembrane molecules delivery.