Microstamp patterning of protein arrays

Pathological thrombus formation is initiated by the interaction of blood platelets to immobilized proteins at the vessel wall. Platelet surface adhesion leads to biochemical activation and structural reorganization resulting in spreading of the platelet across the adhesive surface. Extensive studies have been carried out to examine platelet spreading responses on continuous substrates but little is known about the impact of protein surface distribution on platelet function. This paper describes the development of a micro-contact printing technique to establish defined 2-dimensional arrays of the thrombogenic protein fibrinogen at the surface of glass substrates, with the aim of investigating the impact of protein surface distribution on platelet biochemical signaling events associated with the adhesion/spreading process.