FAQ

Can coating be done in advance? How deep is PRIMO’s depth of field? How long do the cells adhere to the patterns?
All the answers to your questions in our FAQ.

Photopatterning with PRIMO

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF PHOTOPATTERNING WITH PRIMO COMPARE TO OTHER MICROPATTERNING TECHNIQUES?

The PRIMO solution gives researchers complete freedom and full control over their manipulations to optimize the experimental conditions easily. PRIMO allows any shape of protein pattern to be generated rapidly, to precisely align or overlay several proteins (up to 3 without restrictions depending on the proteins used and their interactions) and to control the local density of protein adsorbed to the substrate.
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PRIMO micropatterning for cryo-ET

What difference does it makes to use PRIMO to prepare my cell samples for cryo-ET ?

PRIMO maskless micropatterning system allows to control cell adhesion. Therefore, it guarantees you will get several cells positioned precisely where you want them to be on the EM grid (usually in the middle of the square composing the mesh of the grid). Futhermore, it gives you full control over the design of micropattern you create. As shown in some of our users research works, you can then control cell shapes, polarity, spreading, and that for:
  • mechanobiology studies
  • facilitating the FIB milling process
  • ensuring reproducible and more efficient cryo-ET imaging
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The PRIMO module

WHAT ARE THE DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT OF THE PRIMO MODULE?

The dimensions of the PRIMO unit are 31 x 24.3 x 7.5 cm (length x width x height). It weighs 5 kg.
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The dedicated Leonardo software

WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF THE LEONARDO SOFTWARE?

  • Replication of the same pattern (settings in rows and columns, and adjustment of spacing)
  • Realignment of successive patterns or on microstructures (preview, rotation)
  • Gradient management
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Photopatterning platform and reagents

WHAT EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED TO USE PRIMO?

  • Inverted microscope fitted with focus maintaining system(1):
    • Nikon Ti2-E and Ti-E
    • Leica DMi8
    • Olympus IX83
    • Zeiss AxioObserver
  • Epifluorescence system
  • Motorized X/Y stage
  • Camera
  • Computer
  • Plasma reactor and dedicated pump(2)
(1)Full microscope configuration available on request. (2)Optional depending on experimental conditions.
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Application notes

Our team gives you additional information on practical cases where PRIMO can be used for specific applications or on new substrates.

Read our application notes

Tutorial Videos

Our tutorial videos show you each step of the PRIMO photopatterning process,
from the preparation of the substrate up until cell seeding.

Follow all the key stages.

Webinars

Watch the replays of our webinars on PRIMO and users’ research works, for more practical use cases and details on the technology. Don’t miss the Q&A.

Watch the replay

Scientific papers

Read our users’ scientific papers and see how PRIMO photopatterning helped them in various fields: control of cell polarity, cell adhesion, cryo-ET, microfabrication, etc.

Access our users’ papers list