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Published on: October 26, 2015
The effect of electrochemical functionalization of Ti-alloy surfaces by aptamer-based capture molecules on cell
Ke-Tai Guo1, Dieter Scharnweber, Bernd Schwenzer
1Department of Thoracic, Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Calwerstr. 7/1, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
Abstract:
To improve cell seeding efficiency and cytocompatibility, we designed a new coating material for scaffolds. We used aptamers, highly specific cell binding nucleic acids generated by combinatorial chemistry with an in vitro selection called systematic evolution of exponential enrichment (SELEX). In this study, we functionalized Ti-alloy surfaces to enhance cell adhesion. By coating the material with a cell specific aptamer, working as a capture molecule, we could improve the attachment of cells effectively and avoid the limitations of the currently available materials. Aptamers, immobilized by partial electrochemical entrapment in oxide layers on Ti-alloy surfaces were able to capture cells out of a flowing suspension rapidly. This model proves that surface immobilized aptamers can greatly enhance the attachment of seeded cells. This technology opens new perspectives towards clinical application of stem cell and tissue engineering strategies.
