Characterization of the interface between biomaterials and proteins/cells in the presence of nanotopography

While most of the literature focuses directly on cellular response to biomaterials, cell attachment and behaviour is mediated by the proteins attached to the material. The composition and characteristics of such proteins is dependent on the substrates’ properties, both chemical, physical and mechanical. However, how surface characteristics control protein-material interactions still requires further investigation.

The goal of the project is to characterize protein interactions and resulting change in bacterial adhesion at the interface with biomaterials, in presence of controlled nanotopography.

After the creation of organized arrays of nanoparticles with gradients in interdistance, the substrates will be used to probe protein interactions, in terms of protein quantification and structural changes. These observations will be complemented by real-time monitoring of bacterial adhesion in an ad-hoc flow cell. The aggregation of such studies will shed further light on the role of surface characteristics in the response to biomaterials.

Faculty Supervisor:

Kyla Sask

Student:

Partner:

Chalmers University of Technology

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

McMaster University

Program: