The researchers from the University of Montreal, McGill University, the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center and the Montreal Neurological Institute said the new technology they've developed could lead to great advances in neuroscience.

To illustrate the precision of their protein patterning technique, the team reproduced a masterwork of Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, "Girl with a Pearl Earring," in the miniature dimension of 200 microns wide or about the thickness of two hairs. They also used the technology to replicate the brain's complex cellular environment.

The scientists said their technology can encourage and guide the growth of nerve cells.

"We have created a system that can fabricate complex methods to grow cells," said Santiago Costantino, the study's lead author. "We see this technique as being very relevant to neuroscience and immunology research. With this system, we laid down a chemical gradient to guide the growth of nerve fiber, which is very useful in studying nerve damage and repair."

The research is detailed in the journal Lab on a Chip.