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Understanding the cellular response to polymer surfaces is essential to control the interactions between the substrate and the surrounding tissue, and thus develop materials for biomedical applications, such as those used in implants or to regulate cell functions. Chemistry, texture or topography, and the mechanical properties of the polymer are key features that influence the attachment, proliferation and migration of cells.
In this study, effects of mechanical stiffness and the presence of cell adhesive ligands on the biomaterials are being investigated. The Kohn Lab has designed and synthesized a library of methacrylate polymers with a range of mechanical stiffness, but similar chemical composition. The library of polymers can be surface modified with RGD peptides to provide specific cell interactions. The library consists of polymers with a range of material properties and exhibits a wide variety of cellular functions with respect to proliferation and differentiation of 3T3 cells and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs).
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A process diagram illustrating how a new library designed to study the role of stiffness and adhesion in cell-substrate interactions is created. |
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