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 μm . biopolymeric thin layers manufactured according to the invention permit their application , after a respective structurizing , as test assays or in setting up substance libraries .