Scale-down process cell responses

Miniaturisation is not simply a down-scaling of well known devices. The relative importance of different forces and processes changes with scale. While this prohibits the use of some familiar techniques, it opens up possibilities for novel ones. Accurate positioning and manipulation of cells requires that devices be structured on or near the same scale as the cells themselves and, in this sense, miniaturisation is essential (Fig. 1). It also brings other benefits such as the short response times associated with small devices, ease of sterilisation and, most... 

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