Methods and apparatuses for generating microscopic patterns of macromolecules such as proteins on a solid surface are described. Pulsed laser light is used to alter surface portions of a solid surface substrate in a predetermined pattern by removing macromolecules from surface portions of the substrate where the light is focused. The same wavelength light at lower intensity can be used to visualize the removal by its reflection from the specimen surface along the path to the detector. Select macromolecules introduced to the substrate selectively adhere to select surface portions, thereby depositing macromolecules in the predetermined pattern on the solid surface.