Surface functionalization of living cells with multilayer patches

We demonstrate that functional polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) patches can be attached to a fraction of the surface area of living, individual lymphocytes. Surface-modified cells remain viable at least 48 h following attachment of the functional patch, and patches carrying magnetic nanoparticles allow the cells to be spatially manipulated using a magnetic field. The patch does not completely occlude the cellular surface from the surrounding environment; this approach allows a functional payload to be attached to a cell that is still free to perform its native functions, as suggested by preliminary studies on patch-modified T-cell migration. This approach has potential for broad applications in bioimaging, cellular functionalization, immune system and tissue engineering, and cell-based therapeutics where cell-environment interactions are critical.