Advancing Cell-Instructive Biomaterials Through Increased Understanding of Cell Receptor Spacing and Material Surface Functionalization

Journal article

Precision surface engineering is key to advanced biomaterials. A new platform of PEGylated styrene-maleic acid copolymers for adsorptive surface biofunctionalization is reported. Balanced amphiphilicity renders the copolymers water-soluble but strongly affine for surfaces. Fine-tuning of their molecular architecture provides control over adsorptive anchorage onto specific materials-which is why they are referred to as "anchor polymers" (APs)-and over structural characteristics of the adsorbed layers. Conjugatable with an array of bioactives-including cytokine-complexing glycosaminoglycans, cell-adhesion-mediating peptides and antimicrobials-APs can be applied to customize materials for demanding biotechnologies in uniquely versatile, simple, and robust ways. Moreover, homo- and heterodisplacement of adsorbed APs provide unprecedented means of in situ alteration and renewal of the functionalized surfaces. The related options are exemplified with proof-of-concept experiments of controlled bacterial adhesion, human umbilical vein endothelial cell, and induced pluripotent cell growth on AP-functionalized surfaces

Authors: Maynard, SA; Winter, CW; Cunnane, EM; Stevens, MM

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Springer
• Journal: Regenerative Engineering and Translational Medicine
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 533-547
• Publication date: 2020-11-20
• DOI: 10.1007/s40883-020-00180-0
• EISSN: 2364-4141
• ISSN: 2364-4133
• Language: English
• Keywords: Materials science; Mathematics; Surface (topology); Engineering; Chemical engineering; Nanotechnology; Surface modification; Geometry