Research Group Martin Applications of cells at tailored interfaces
Our project involves the development of a new generation of coatings for medical products. The concept of all the coatings is based on using a nanolithography technique to create bio-functionalized surfaces that modulate cell behavior (*). The technique allows decorating surfaces with a periodic nanopattern of metal nanoparticles. Biomolecules can then be attached to the metal particles, resulting in a pattern of chemical signals which are regularly distributed at the nanometer scale. The biomolecules can be chosen such as to activate a specific profile of cell surface receptors and accordingly modulate a particular cell function and/or a particular cell phenotype. This technique allows creating "bio-active coatings" with (i) a chosen chemical signal tethered to the surface, (ii) a controlled spacing between chemical signals at the nanometer scale, and (iii) a defined stiffness of the substrate. Those three parameters, which are known to influence cell behavior, can systematically be varied on our substrates, resulting in countless possibilities for triggering cell responses. The possible medical applications include the development of cell selection tools, innovative solutions for diagnosis, and coatings for implants (e. g. vascular grafts). (*) Glass R et al. (2003) Nanotechnology 14:1153-1160; Arnold M et al. (2004) Chemphyschem 5:383-8
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