Tailoring Biomaterials

Question 1

How can protein surface adsorption affect cell responses?

Answer 1

Differential affinity of proteins for surface
Protein conformational changes that modulate biological activity
Substrate activation of an adhesion protein
Body may recognise host proteins as foreign

Question 2

How to control the immune response?

Answer 2

Tissue typing
Drugs (T cell suppression)
Genetic modification (humanise antigens)
Immunoisolation (physical separation via semipermeable membrane)

Question 3

ISO10993 biocompatibility tests?

Answer 3

cytotoxicity
sensitisation
irritation
systemic toxicity
genotoxicity

Question 4

Cytocompatibility tests?

Answer 4

Cultured cells exposed directly to material
exposed indirectly via interposed layer
exposed indirectly via media conditioned by material

Question 5

FBR response

Answer 5

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Question 6

Surface modification wishlist

Answer 6

Allows attachment of key proteins with minimal denaturation
prevents non-specific adsorption/denaturation
can withstand initial aggressive immune response
remains intact during breakdown of underlying polymer
fully degradable to nontoxic products