A protein patterning electrode device consisting of capacitor
microelectrode arrays coated with a protein non-adherent layer is
provided. Operation of the electrode is based on a phenomenon called
"electrowetting," where surface wettability can dynamically be controlled
by varying the voltage across the device electrodes. When an electric
field is applied across the electrode layers, the surface accumulates
charge and becomes hydrophilic, binding the proteins to the surface via
ionic bonding. Electrically controlling the amount of the surface charge
permits controlled protein surface affinity. The device provides a means
for reconfigurable protein patterning.