Polymer substrates for controlled biological interactions

Abstract

The identification of a myriad of small peptide and carbohydrate lieands recognizes by cell surface receptors has generated enthusiasm for the use of these ligands of components of biomaterials dor controlling cellular interactions. Achiening control of cell interaations via ligand modification of materials also refquires that nonspecific interactions of cells with these materials due to supface adsorption of biological macromolecules is milimized. Polyetylene oxide (PEO) exhibits extraordinary inertness toward most biological macromlecules and is thus receiving increasing attention as a component of new materials for controlling cell behavior. Both surface and bulk modifications with PEO are being applied to develop a range of bland substrate material as vehicles for ligand immobilization.