Lithographically patterned channels spatially segregate kinesin motor activity and effectively guide microtubule movements

To extract useful work from biological motor proteins, it is necessary to orient microtubules traveling over kinesin-coated surfaces properly. Toward this goal, we have used microfabrication to construct 1.5-μm-deep channels in SU-8 photoresist patterned on glass. Although motor proteins bind to all surfaces, these channels localize motility exclusively to the glass surface, and the photoresist creates steep walls that direct microtubule movement. This technique provides a general approach for lithographically patterning enzyme activity.