Cell-material interaction

Abstract

The interaction of cells with material surfaces is of fundamental relevance and contributes to the clinical success of implants. Cells sense their physico-chemical environment resulting in focal adhesion reorganization, spatio-temporal localization and activation of integrin dependent signalling proteins as well as phenotypic changes, e.g., of the actin cytoskeleton. The technology of designing instructive biomaterials involves chemical modifications by grafting of chemical groups, adhesion ligands and growth factors. Physical modifications of the materials are created by structuring the surfaces stochastically and geometrically and by modifications of the material stiffness. Insights into the mechanism at the interface that are involved in the regulation of cells such as stem cells, osteoblasts and chondrocytes by materials will advance the development of innovative biomaterials in regenerative medicine. © 2013, by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston. All rights reserved.