A method of patterning materials, such as proteins, on a contoured surface
by depositing them onto protrusions on a surface, and a cell containment
device that may be constructed by this method, are provided. The method
may involve selectively depositing a material on a substrate including a
contoured surface including protrusions and recesses. By applying a first
fluid to the contoured surface and allowing the first fluid to distribute
across only a portion of the contoured surface, a material may be
deposited on the protrusions and not the recesses, or on the recesses and
not the protrusions. Such a method may be used to selectively pattern
cells or other materials on substrates.