Methods for patterning hydrogels into multi-well plates

A method of forming a hydrogel in a first well of a multi-well plate, comprising;

• providing an apparatus comprising:
• a light source;
• a holder configured to align a photomask and the multi-well plate;
• an enclosure at least partially disposed about the multi-well plate and configured to limit light exposure to an operator;
• and
• a mold having first post sized and dimensioned to fit into the first well,
• wherein the light source is positioned to illuminate the first well through the photomask, with sufficient energy to initiate polymerization of a prepolymer to form the hydrogel;
• positioning a photomask in the apparatus;
• placing the multi-well plate in the holder;
• dispensing a first prepolymer into the first well;
• inserting the first post into the first well, wherein the first post comprises a first contact surface that contacts the first prepolymer upon insertion;
• exposing the first prepolymer to a first illumination, thereby initiating polymerization of the first prepolymer;
• performing a wash step to remove excess first prepolymer;
• dispensing a second prepolymer into the first well;
• inserting a second post into the first well, wherein the second post comprises a second contact surface that contacts the second prepolymer upon insertion;
• exposing the second prepolymer to a second illumination, thereby initiating polymerization of the second prepolymer;
• and
• dispensing a liquid media into the first well.