Coating scaffolds with functionalization

One design requirement is to provide a physical scaffold that permits near-normal proliferation of cells. Proliferation is encouraged by scaffold with an open and curvilinear structure — a more or less natural conformation. For example, hepatic cells cultured on a flat plate do not function. The cell survival signals are functional as evidenced by our ability to keep cells alive, but their metabolic functions are destroyed when they are forced into a flat conformation. By inference, therefore, a concave structure is thought to be appropriate. As cells migrate to coat a surface, it is equally important to provide a scaffold that has as open an architecture as possible so as not to inhibit spreading. 

The supramolecular assembly of (3-cyclodextrin-capped AuNPs on ITO previously coated with a monolayer of ferrocene molecules was shown to exhibit interesting redox properties, as presented in Figure 8.5.25 This is a fine example of the functionalization of a nanoparticle with a functionalized recognition element to create a unique supramolecular scaffold with tailor-made properties. Specifically, the electrocatalytic determination of ascorbic acid was demonstrated by this surface assembly with excellent discrimination over dopamine. 

Since PLA is a widely spread material for implants and tissue engineering scaffolds, surface functionalization is an important measure to improve the rather poor device-tissue interaction profile of this material. A few, more or less easy, methods for nonpermanent surface modification of PLA have been developed such as coating with proteins or entrapment of other polymers applying a swelling/entrapment/contraction cycle. However, for... 

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