Thin films of gold on glass are prepared by solution deposition of functionalized gold nanoparticles followed by thermal treatment. The processed films adhere strongly to glass without any adhesion layers and can be micropattemed/microetched without delamination from the substrate. The formation of self-assembled monolayers (SA.Ms) of oligo(ethylene glycol) alkane thiols (EG SAMs) renders the films resistant to cell adhesion and allows for cell patterning.