Major challenges in tissue engineering include the need to develop more advanced, three-dimensional scaffolds for cell adhesion and tissue growth, and the need to spatially and temporally present growth signals for appropriate tissue growth and repair. The described research efforts, therefore, include an innovative strategy to produce synthetic, three-dimensional, functionalized collagen peptide-based materials with enhanced biological functionality over native collagen. Strategically placed metal-binding sites within the collagen peptides drive metal-ligand assembly, producing unique assemblies - including micron-sized spheres, fibers, meshes and disks. Additional ligand binding sites within and on the surface of the collagen materials have been harnessed for inclusion of bioactive molecules, including growth factors and cell adhesion agents.  The use of these materials for stem cell differentiation and tissue growth will be described.

Designed collagen peptide-based materials for tissue engineering

245th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.