FUNCTIONALIZATION OF BIOMATERIALS FOR A GUIDED PROTEIN ADSORPTION AND BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE

Department

DISAT, Politecnico of Turin

Main research activities/topics/projects

The biological response after implantation (inflammatory, tissue integration) of a biomaterial is guided by several bulk and surface properties such as stiffness, surface energy, zeta potential, roughness, topography, chemical composition, and exposed functional groups. In an early stage, the biomaterial features influence the interaction with the biological fluids and protein adsorption. A cascade of events follows involving cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation or, eventually, infection or chronic inflammation and rejection.

In this context, it is relevant to investigate the adsorption of proteins on a biomaterial by determining the amount, selectivity, orientation, and configuration of the adsorbed proteins. This investigation allows a better understanding of the biological response of an implant and allows the development of modifications of a biomaterial to guide it in a specific direction.

A protocol involving different techniques (XPS, FTIR, ELISA, zeta potential, fluorescence, KPFM) has been developed at POLITO (with some external collaborations) for this characterization and can be applied to different biomaterials and proteins (albumin, fibronectin, fibrinogen).

Working language

 English

Special entry requirements

Knowledge on biomaterials

Duration in months (min-max)

Master researcher: 2-3

PhD sandwich: 3-7

Post Doc: 3-7