Micropatterning of proteins in the live cell plasma membrane

The Schütz group has recently established protein micropatterning in the live cell plasma membrane as a tool to study interactions of membrane proteins. In this practical course, the technique will be introduced to the students. In brief, soft lithography is used to generate antibody patterns on glass surfaces, onto which cells are grown. The target proteins will be reassembled along the micropatterns. Fluorescence microscopy is used as readout. If requested, students can characterize their own samples; alternatively, standardized samples will be available.