| Abstract
| - This paper presents a readily accessible patterningplatformbased upon geometric constraints, discrete cellsuspension droplets, and controlled cell settlingthatprovides both temporal and spatial patterning capabilities.As a demonstration, single-cell (and bead) suspensionsas well as multicellular human embryonic stem cellcolonies are spatiotemporally patterned onto arbitrarysubstrates. These substrates include tissue culture surfaces, cell monolayers, protein-coated surfaces, and 3Dgel matrices. The generation of soluble factor gradientsis also demonstrated. This method is completely passiveand does not require external power sources. Spatiotemporal patterning provides a foundation for future biologicalstudies that explore the time-dependent relationshipsbetween cell−cell signaling and cellular responses.
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