Attachment of microstructures to single bacteria by two-photon patterning of a protein based hydrogel

We investigate the fabrication and attachment of microstructures to bacteria by two photon laser lithography in single cell experiments. Bacteria are embedded in a protein based hydrogel precursor and crosslinking is used to attach microstructures, resulting in a motility change or complete immobilization of a selected bacterium. The processing parameters of the compound are characterized and the viability of the bacteria exposed to the precursor solution is evaluated by cell leakage and motility assays pre-and post-fabrication.