Abstract

This Review summarizes methods for constructing systems and structures at micron or submicron scales that have applications in microbiology. These tools make it possible to manipulate individual cells and their immediate extracellular environments and have the capability to transform the study of microbial physiology and behaviour. Because of their simplicity, low cost and use in microfabrication, we focus on the application of soft lithographic techniques to the study of microorganisms, and describe several key areas in microbiology in which the development of new microfabricated materials and tools can have a crucial role.

Author affiliations

1. Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 433 Babcock Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706 USA.
2. Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138 USA.

Correspondence to: Douglas B. Weibel^1,2 Email: weibel@biochem.wisc.edu

Correspondence to: George M. Whitesides² Email: gwhitesides@gmwgroup.harvard.edu

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