Surface functionalization via peptides and peptidomimetics
Specific cellular adhesion can be achieved by coating materials such as implants with integrin-selective peptides and peptidomimetics. These molecules are covalently anchored at the material and designed spacers or branching units are used to improve adhesion properties. Materials such as apatite, titanium, gold, glass, organic polymers and metallic silicon need different and material-specific anchors which are compatible with linkages to the bioactive peptides or peptidomimetics. Light sensitive switches will be developed which can be used to influence cell adhesion on microchips in a controlled way.
