Method of patterning molecules on a substrate using a micro-contact printing process

A method of patterning molecules on a substrate using a micro-contact printing process, whereby the molecules to be patterned are kept in solvent or are covered by solvent during the entire micro-contact printing process, said method comprising:

• providing molecules to be patterned in a solvent and providing a patterned surface, said molecules being first immobilized on an ink-pad within said solvent;
• transferring said molecules to be patterned onto said patterned surface and immobilizing them thereon while keeping said molecules in said solvent or covered by said solvent, said ink-pad having said molecules immobilized thereon is brought into conformal contact with said patterned surface in a first solvent environment containing said molecules to be patterned and said solvent, thereby transferring said molecules onto said patterned surface and immobilizing them thereon;
• and
• providing a substrate in a second solvent environment, transferring said patterned surface having said molecules immobilized thereon to said second solvent environment, and bringing said patterned surface having said molecules immobilized thereon into conformal contact with said substrate, thereby creating a pattern of said molecules on said substrate, while keeping said molecules in said solvent or covered by said solvent, wherein said molecules to be patterned are protein molecules,
• wherein said micro-contact printing process occurs in the absence of a drying step.