Polymer Surfaces for Sustained Cell Growth: Development and Study of Molecular Interactions

本研究的目的是考察 不同的聚合物基质对细胞行为，细胞形态， 细胞结构蛋白的组织和基因表达。 它 也将有助于理解细胞/聚合物的相互作用， 用于持续细胞生长的新型聚合物体系。 持续 哺乳动物细胞在固体基质上的生长和功能取决于 基质的物理化学性质。 虽然分子 这种现象的基础还不清楚，它是主要的 在大规模细胞培养发展中的重要性， 人造内脏 该方法是跨学科的， 涉及工程方法与生物化学和 分子生物学技术 独特的聚合物表面，包括 生物可侵蚀的表面，将通过定制合成和 用超临界流体溶剂改性;这些表面将被 在表面化学、粗糙度和 表面能成纤维细胞和肝细胞将在 各种聚合物表面。 细胞行为、细胞骨架 组织和特定基因的表达，以响应这些 表面将通过定量计算机辅助 显微镜和生化分析。 通过控制和检查 分子在几个不同的层次上发生变化--从聚合物 表面到细胞蛋白质--底物性质的变化， 对细胞功能的精确影响将是相关的。 最后， 然后，新的基质将提供生物学上的局部释放， 重要的因素是不添加培养基血清补充物，

The objective of this research is to examine the influence of different polymeric substrates on cell behavior, cell morphology, organization of cellular structural proteins, and gene expression. It will also assist understanding cell/polymer interactions to develop novel polymeric systems for sustained cell growth. The sustained growth and function of mammalian cells on solid substrates depends on the physiochemical nature of the substrate. Although the molecular basis of this phenomenon is not well understood, it is of major importance in the development of large-scale cell culture and artificial internal organs. The approach is interdisciplinary, involving the integration of engineering methods with biochemical and molecular biology techniques. Unique polymer surfaces, including bioerodable surfaces, will be created by custom synthesis and by modification with supercritical fluid solvents; these surface will be completely characterized in terms of surface chemistry, roughness, and surface energy. Fibroblasts and hepatocytes will be cultured on a variety of polymer surfaces. Changes in cell behavior, cytoskeletal organization, and expression of specific genes in response to these surfaces will be determined by quantitative computer-assisted microscopy and biochemical analysis. By controlling and examining molecular changes at several different levels -- from the polymer surface to cellular protein -- changes in substrate properties with the precise effect on cell function will be correlated. Finally, novel substrates will then provide a local release of biologically important factors without the addition of media serum supplements,