Hierarchical polymer niches for enhanced cell attachment

In this project, we want to investigate the interaction of cells with surfaces that will be gradually modified with molecules of different function. In fact the control and understanding of adhesion of cells on artificial surfaces and to other cells is still a relevant research topic in materials science and biomedicine (cancer research). For example, cell-surface interactions, understanding the surface as part of the material of interest, is very important to control the fate of implants, or from a technological side to improve sensor sensitivity by controlling the microenvironment that cells will face. Several factors can influence cell adhesion to any type of material. Among them we can quote surface charge, surface mechanical properties, surface roughness, specific adsorbed (glyco)proteins, other type of (bio)polymers, controlled wetting properties (hydrophobic vs. hydrophilic interplay), etc. In this project, we will make functional surfaces by using two opposite approaches. The first one goes from the bottom to the top, and for this we will use polymerization techniques and layer-by- layer coating to engineer polymer brushes and further adsorb polyelectrolytes and specific proteins. Such approach would create soft three-dimensional niches that will enhance cell attachment and proliferation. The second approach (top-down) make use of microcontact- printing, which will allow the growth of the polymer brushed (by chemical polymerization) in localized parts of the original surface. After the functional surfaces are produced we will test the adhesion of two different type of cells (Human Embryonic Kidney cells and Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells). We will observe and quantify the behavior of the cells with a fluorescence microscope (to evaluate the shape of the cells), with an atomic force microscope (to measure the adhesion forces of the cell with the surface), and with the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (to monitor the interaction of the cells with the surface and possible viscoelastic issues as a function of time).