dc.description.abstract | The main objective of this master project was to prepare master moulds and PDMS stamps which can be used for microcontact printing. In addition, the aim was to develop and characterize patterned surfaces which can be used to fabricate bacterial arrays using μCP, continuing the work initiated by Karen Dunker and Aurora Resell. The master moulds and the PDMS stamps were produced using lithographic methods present in the NTNU Nanolab. The stamp was then used to microcontact print PLL-FITC, PLL, PDA, and mucin onto glass surfaces. Bacterial microarrays were then fabricated incubating bacteria on PLL, PDA, or mucin functionalized patches to generate bacterial microarrays. PDMS stamps, functionalized surfaces, and bacterial microarrays were characterised using different microscopy methods, including scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy, and atom force microscopy. Future perspectives include optimization microcontact printing and bacterial incubation steps in order to obtain functional bacterial microarrays. | |