Journal of Glycobiology
Open Access

Cell-matrix interactions at the nanoscale

Glycobiology World Congress

August 10-12, 2015 Philadelphia, USA

E Ada Cavalcanti-Adam

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Glycobiol

Abstract :

In tissues of mesenchymal origin, cell-extracellular matrix interactions are necessary for adhesion and migration and rely on
the assembly of focal adhesions, micrometer-sized structures comprising transmembrane and intracellular protein clusters.
Over the past two decades these structures have been extensively studied to elucidate their organization, assembly and molecular
composition as well as to determine their functional role. Synthetic materials decorated with biological molecules such as adhesive
molecules and growth factors are widely used to mimic the extracellular environment and to induce specific cellular responses
dependent on cell adhesion. Nanotechnology provides tools to mimic and investigate such responses at single molecule resolution.
This lecture focuses on cell interactions with nanopatterned surfaces biofunctionalized with adhesive peptides recognized by
integrins as well as on surfaces decorated with bone morphogenetic protein 2. Results on cell adhesion and adhesion-mediated
signaling induced by surface immobilization and spatial distribution of the ligands will be presented. Surface patterning strategies
for presenting on the same platform different chemical cues of the extracellular space will be also discussed.