Figure 1.

Shape-morphing ECM materials containing photolithographic cell patterns for spatially controlled formation of epithelial networks. A) Strategy for controlling ECM compaction using a mechanical metamaterial design to promote fusion of epithelial spheroids into tubule networks of defined geometry. B) pDPAC workflow showing ssDNA patterning followed by temporary DNA-labeled cell attachment. C) Left: Overlay of red, green, and blue false-colored mask features and DNA spots demonstrating multiple strand patterning across ≈10 μm–25 mm spatial scales (Johannes Vermeer, Girl with a Pearl Earring, c. 1665, Mauritshuis, The Hague, The Netherlands). Right: Fluorescence and phase microscopy images of SYBR Gold-labeled live MDCKs and underlying F DNA spots. Cells were pre-labeled with complementary F′ lipid-DNA and CellTracker dye. D) Left: Amount of 2.5 mm F ssDNA patterned onto pDPAC substrates and capture efficiency of F′ lipid-DNA-labeled MDCK cells versus 254 nm light exposure time (see “Supporting Methods” in the Supporting Information, ±SD, n = 3 experiments from an average of 10 and 5 features per experiment condition respectively). Middle: Fluorescence microscopy images of anti-Y₂₁-FITC probe-labeled 5′-X₂₄-Y₂₁-3′ ssDNA features where X₂₄ is a random 24-mer variable sequence composed of the indicated proportions of bases. Right: Amount of 2.5 mm 5′-T₂₀-X₂₀-3′ ssDNA patterned onto pDPAC gels and capture efficiency of MDCKs for exposure time of 2 min versus the proportion of thymine bases in X₂₀ (see “Supporting Methods” in the Supporting Information, ±SD, n = 3 experiments from an average of 10 and 5 features per experiment condition respectively).