Collier JH. Modular self-assembling biomaterials for directing cellular responses.
SOFT MATTER 2008;
4:2310-2315. [PMID:
20198120 PMCID:
PMC2829887 DOI:
10.1039/b805563g]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembling biomaterials are promising as cell-interactive matrices because they can be constructed in a modular fashion, which enables the independent and simultaneous tuning of several of their physicochemical and biological properties. Such modularity facilitates the optimization of multi-component matrices for use in complex biological environments such as 3-D cell culture or scaffolds for regenerative medicine. This Highlight will discuss recent strategies for producing modular self-assembling biomaterials, with a particular focus on how ligand presentation and matrix mechanics can be controlled in modular ways. In addition, it will discuss key hurdles that remain for employing these materials as cell-interactive scaffolds in biomedical applications, particularly those that relate to how they may interface with the immune system.
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