Peptide Silane Material

Extracellular environments and signaling provides clues to the cellular mechanisms used to modulate cell development and differentiation. Biologically inspired materials to manipulate cellular differentiation are a potentially powerful tool for the development and implementation of many cell-based technologies, including automated cell culture, cell therapies, and cell fate or functioning in prosthetics and implantable devices. This technology is a material platform capable of integrating a more complex pattern of signals in space and in future work/time.

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a simple "one pot" method of producing a peptide silane material that allows the presentation of multiple peptides at controllable relative concentrations. The material can support cell growth directly at the surface without the addition of soluble factors. This material can provide rich biological signals that are well defined, and cells can be induced to possess more mature phenotypic characteristics than a traditional two-dimensional culture. The material methods have been developed, and the materials have been synthesized and characterized for multiple peptides. A neuronal model system has been demonstrated and validated with the rat neuronal cell line. Additional material formulations have been designed that produce a more neuronal phenotype that has enhanced neurotransmitter production and release compared to control culture surfaces.

Advantages:

-Synthetic brain model

-Functionalized for well-known rat cell line

-Simple synthesis

Potential Applications:

-Biotechnology

TRL: 4

Intellectual Property:

Keywords: Peptide silane material, cell development, cellular differentiation, biologically inspired materials, cell-based technologies, automated cell culture, cell therapies, neuronal model system, neurotransmitter production, synthetic brain model