Abstract: The present invention relates to novel thin layers for microsystem techniques and microstructuring. It is an object of the invention to provide thin layers which can be manufactured under less problems and more economically than the previous conventional layers, and which permit the use of existing technologies for microstructuring. The object is realized in that the thin layer is formed of an enzymatically degradable biopolymer in a range of layer thicknesses of from 30 nm to 3 &mgr;m. Biopolymeric thin layers manufactured according to the invention permit their application, after a respective structurizing, as test assays or in setting up substance libraries.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing structured, self-organized molecular monolayers of individual molecular species. The invention is preferably used to create solid-phase bonded substance libraries. To this end, a) a substrate (2) suitable for the first monolayer is provided; b) a microstructured polymer mask (1) having openings is applied to the subtrate (2) at least once in a defined direction.