The present invention provides a masking system for selectively applying cells
to predetermined regions of a surface. A mask is positioned adjacent to a surface
to cover some portions of the surface while allowing other portions of the surface
to remain uncovered. Cells then are applied to uncovered portions of the surface
and the mask removed. Alternatively, a cell-adhesion promoter is applied to uncovered
portions of the surface, and then cells are applied to the surface before or after
removal of the mask from the surface. The masking system can be pre-coated, at
least on those surfaces which will come into contact with cells, with a cell-adhesion
inhibitor to resist absorption of cells and thereby avoid cell damage when the
mask is removed (if cells are deposited prior to removal of the mask). A polymeric
elastomeric mask that comes into cohesive-conformal contact with a surface to be
patterned can be used.
