The microrafts have bases composed of detachable
concave elements fabricated by a
dip-coating process using a
polydimethylsiloxane mold as the template and the array substrate. This manufacturing approach allows the microrafts to possess low
autofluorescence and can therefore be utilized for fluorescence-based identification of cells. Cells plated on the microarray settle and attach at the center of the wells due to the microrafts’ concavity. Individual microrafts are dislodged using a needle inserted through the compliant
polymer substrate. The hard polymer material of the microrafts protect the cells from damage by the needle. Cell analysis and isolation can be carried out using a standard
inverted microscope. Released cells/microrafts can be collected, cultured and clonally expanded. ==Utility==