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The contact of cells to their surrounding, naturally the extracellular matrix (ECM), is a crucial point for cell survival. One receptor-family involved in this process is the integrin-family. Especially the αvβ3-integrin, which forms the focal adhesion contacts via binding specific proteins of the ECM, containing the Arg-Gly-Asp-(RGD)-motif, mediates the cell adhesion. In this project we functionalize different materials by immobilization of highly selective and active integrin ligands (with RGD or RGD mimic). The in vitro and in vivo improved biocompatibility of the materials is used for implant materials in medicine. Modified surfaces are also be used in basic research of cellular behaviour. Anchoring via photosensitive linkers allow photochemical switching of cell adhesion to non-biological surfaces. Other experiments will give insights into the mechanism of integrin activation, binding, and formation of focal adhesion contacts. Different cell adhesion sequences exhibit specificity for different integrins. Their properties with respect of cellular specificity will be investigated. For applications in the field of semiconductors materials like silicon and gallium arsenide have to be functionalized with different organic molecules. This will allow us to investigate the effects of modifications on optic and electronic properties of surfaces to cell adhesion.
Chemical synthesis of peptides and peptide mimetics is required to include different integrin specificity and anchor groups and spacers have to be designed to optimize cell adhesion.
- C. Dahmen, J. Auernheimer, et al. (2004).
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 48, 6649.
- U. Hersel, C. Dahmen, H. Kessler (2003). Biomaterials,
24, 4385.
- C. Dahmen, A. Janotta, et al. (2003). Thin
Solid Films, 427, 201.
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