Cells

Surface-Cell adhesion

The interaction of cells with biomaterial surfaces is an area of crucial interest within biomaterial research. The objective is often to control the biological response and attract specific cells to the surface, which will ensure the continuous survival and function of the implant. The advanced microscopes available today make it possible to get images with high magnification and resolution. However, those methods usually demand that the cell material is fixated before analysing. To follow the biological process in real-time it is necessary to find a way to follow the fundamental reactions taking place at a micro- and nanoscale, without interfering with the process. Impedance based methods has therefore developed as an alternative that can be used to study how living cells attach to surfaces, grow and start to proliferate. The z-LAB Instrument is currently used in a study where it is very beneficial to be able to monitor the whole process from surface build-up with a polymer coating of the sensor surfaces to the sequential attachment and proliferation of endothelial cells. The z-LAB Instrument can be used with several different metal electrodes, where the titanium electrode sensor surface in particular is relevant for biomaterial research. Electrode surfaces can also be prepared with other with thin films of other materials relevant for biomaterial like hydroxyapatite.

Related products: z-LAB Instrument / nanoLAYER