Colonisation of implants and scaffolds for tissue engineering is dependent on the presence of adhesive proteins, which represent specific cues for cellular adhesion receptors (integrins). Adsorption of proteins from surrounding liquids depends on the physicochemical surface properties of materials, which also control their conformation and hence functional activity. The majority of polymers for tissue engineering applications are quite hydrophobic and do not support the conformation of adhesive proteins. Therefore colonisation of scaffolds can be delayed or impaired. We explored different techniques to modify the surface of biomaterials to improve their cell contacting properties. Organosilanes have been applied to create self assembled monolayers of a defined molecular composition on inorganic materials. Striking differences in the activities of integrins particularly regarding signal transduction and extracellular matrix formation were observed. It turned out that negatively charged substrata such as carboxylic functions have superior properties compared vs. hydrophilic hydroxyl or amine surfaces. We modified also the surface of hydrophobic (polymeric) materials with poly (ethylene glycol) block copolymers (Pluronics). It turned out that low coating concentrations enhanced adhesion of cells on hydrophobic surfaces. The effect seems to be based on the stabilisation of protein conformation by neighbouring PEG molecules. Finally we explored the ability of the layer-by-layer technique to assemble biogenic macromolecules in matrix-like structures on charged surfaces. We applied chitosan, heparin and fibronectin to obtain control over the adhesive properties of the substratum. Overall, these generic techniques can be applied to different types of surfaces to obtain control over the adhesive properties of biomaterials.

• Legal notice:
  

  Copyright (c) Pielaszek Research, all rights reserved.
  The above materials, including auxiliary resources, are subject to Publisher's copyright and the Author(s) intellectual rights. Without limiting Author(s) rights under respective Copyright Transfer Agreement, no part of the above documents may be reproduced without the express written permission of Pielaszek Research, the Publisher. Express permission from the Author(s) is required to use the above materials for academic purposes, such as lectures or scientific presentations.
  In every case, proper references including Author(s) name(s) and URL of this webpage: https://science24.com/paper/8438 must be provided.