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The Department of Biomedicine

BBB seminar: Larry D. Unsworth

Directing the host response to biomaterials: the importance of protein-surface interactions

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Larry D. Unsworth
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada


Protein-surface interactions are ubiquitous in nature, and of extreme importance in directing the overall host response to biomedical devices. In fact, non-specific protein adsorption at the biomaterial-tissue interface is generally considered the first and fate determining event that orchestrates subsequent host responses, viz. thrombogenesis, platelet activation, complement activation, inflammation, etc. Moreover, protein-surface interactions can also determine the therapeutic efficacy of molecular cues presented by the biomaterial to the local environment (protein release mechanisms, adsorbed protein denaturation, etc.). Therefore, strategies for directing or eliminating protein adsorption at the tissue-material interface, while effectively presenting therapeutically relevant biomolecules (i.e. for eliciting beneficial cellular responses, etc.) are highly sought after.

This seminar will discuss the molecular level mechanisms at play in controlling the protein-surface interactions at multiple surfaces, and how this information is vital to the development of novel materials that are both biofunctional and bioresponsive. In addition, a brief overview of future research on understanding the effect of adsorbed protein conformation on activity and cellular responses will be given; highlighting the importance of protein-surface interactions in governing the host response to biomaterials.


Host: Alexandre Micoulet <micoulet@biomed.uib.no>, Department of Biomedicine