Size-Tunable Organic Nanodot Arrays: A Versatile Platform for Manipulating and Imaging Cells

Arrays of protein nanodots with dot-size tuned independently of spacing (e.g., similar to 400 to 600 nm diameter for 900 nm spacing) are fabricated. The mechanism of size control is demonstrated, by numerical simulations, to arise from shadow effects during deposition of a sacrificial metal mask. We functionalize the nanodots with antibodies and embed them in a polymer-cushion or in lipid-bilayers or transfer them to soft elastomers. Their ability to influence cell architecture and local membrane organization is demonstrated in T-lymphocytes, using reflection interference contrast and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy.