Cell-Material Interactions

Biomaterial surface properties

The characteristics of a biomaterial's surface that impact biological responses.

Testing plan

A plan developed to characterize and evaluate specific properties or interactions of biomaterials.

Protein adsorption

The process by which proteins attach to the surface of a biomaterial.

Cell-material interactions

The interactions between cells and biomaterial surfaces.

Hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity

The property of a surface that determines its tendency to repel or attract water.

Charge

The electrical charge of a surface that can influence protein adsorption.

Topography

The surface roughness and features of a material that can affect protein adsorption.

Chemistry

The chemical composition of a substrate that determines the types of bonds formed with proteins.

Steric hindrance

The blocking of access to a surface by hydrophilic polymer chains, preventing protein adsorption.

Protein identity

The specific type of protein that interacts with a biomaterial surface.

Protein concentration

The amount of protein present that can affect cell response to a biomaterial.

Protein conformation

The three-dimensional structure of a protein that can influence its interaction with a biomaterial.

Surface characterization

The process of evaluating and describing the properties of a biomaterial's surface.

Hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity measurement

A method to determine the wettability and hydrophobicity of a surface using water contact angle measurements.

Surface chemistry

The chemical composition and structure of a biomaterial's surface.

UV-Vis Spectroscopy

A spectroscopic technique that uses the absorption of ultraviolet and visible light to analyze the chemical structure of materials.

Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy

A spectroscopic technique that uses the absorption of infrared light to analyze the chemical structure of materials.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy

A spectroscopic technique that uses the magnetic properties of atomic nuclei to analyze the chemical structure of materials.

Attenuated Total Reflectance – Fourier Transform IR (ATR-FTIR) Spectroscopy

A spectroscopic technique that uses the reflection and absorption of infrared light to analyze the chemical structure of materials.

X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)

A spectroscopic technique that uses the absorption of X-rays to analyze the chemical structure of materials.

Surface roughness

The unevenness or texture of a biomaterial's surface.

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

A microscopy technique that uses a beam of electrons to visualize materials at a higher magnification than is possible with light.

Profilometry

A technique used to measure and characterize the microscale roughness of a surface.

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

A microscopy technique used to characterize the nanoscale roughness of a surface.

Surface Roughness

The measure of irregularities on the surface of a material.

AFM Analysis

Atomic Force Microscopy analysis, a technique used to study the surface properties of materials at the nanoscale.

Protein Adsorption

The process by which proteins bind to a surface or material.

Radioactive Isotope

A form of an element that emits radiation and can be used to label proteins for tracking and quantification.

Fluorophore

A fluorescent molecule that can be attached to proteins to track and quantify their adsorption.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Antibodies that are produced by identical immune cells and can be used to detect specific epitopes on proteins.

Enzyme

A protein that catalyzes chemical reactions in cells.

Chromogenic Substrate

A substance that, when acted upon by an enzyme, produces a colored product that can be detected and quantified.

Cellular Responses

The reactions and behaviors of cells in response to stimuli.

Surface Topography

The physical features and characteristics of a surface, such as roughness or texture.

Substrate Modulus

The stiffness or elasticity of a material.

In Vitro Cell Cultures

Cells that are grown and studied outside of their natural environment, typically in a laboratory setting.

Primary Cultures

Cells that are harvested and isolated directly from tissues.

Cell Lines

Genetic clones of cells that have been "immortalized" and can be passaged many times without losing their phenotype.

Macrophages

A type of immune cell that plays a key role in the response to injury and infection.

Microscopy Methods

Techniques that use microscopes to visualize and study cells and materials.

Gene Expression

The process by which information from a gene is used to create a functional protein.

Reverse Transcription - Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

A technique used to analyze specific genes of interest by converting RNA into DNA and amplifying it.

RNA Sequencing (RNAseq)

A method used to analyze the entire transcriptome, or all the RNA molecules in a cell.

Western Blotting

A technique used to detect specific proteins within a cell lysate using antibodies.

Immunohistochemistry

A method that uses antibodies to detect and visualize proteins on or within cells.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

A technique that uses antibodies to detect and quantify proteins in a solution.

Metabolic activity assays

Tests used to evaluate the number of healthy cells present by measuring their metabolic activity.