**Evaluation of the Interaction and Compatibility of Biomaterials with Biological Media**

394 Biomaterials – Physics and Chemistry

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of high ductility and tensile properties upon two-stage draw of ultrahigh molecular

**20** 

*Germany* 

**Cell Adhesion and Spreading on an** 

Marga C. Lensen1,2, Vera A. Schulte1 and Mar Diez1

**Intrinsically Anti-Adhesive PEG Biomaterial** 

*1DWI e.V. and Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen 2Technische Universität Berlin, Institut für Chemie, Nanostrukturierte Biomaterialien* 

This Chapter deals with bulk hydrogels consisting of a widely used biomaterial: poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG). PEG is renown for its bio-inertness; it is very effective in suppressing non-specific protein adsorption (NSPA) and thereby preventing cell adhesion. However, we have observed unexpected adhesion of fibroblast cells to the surface of bulk PEG hydrogels when the surface was decorated with micrometer-sized, topographic patterns. This Chapter describes the aim of our investigations to unravel the biophysical, biochemical and biomechanical reasons why these cells do adhere to the intrinsically anti-

Amongst the different classes of materials which find use in the field of medicine and biology, hydrophilic polymers have demonstrated great potential. Networks formed from hydrophilic polymer often exhibit a high affinity for water, yet they do not dissolve due to their chemically or physically crosslinked network. Water can penetrate in between the chains of the polymer network, leading to swelling and the formation of a hydrogel (Langer & Peppas, 2003; Peppas et al., 2000; Wichterle & Lim, 1960). Generally such polymer networks can be formed via chemical bonds, ionic interactions, hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, or physical bonds (Hoffman, 2002; Peppas, 1986). Hydrogels have found numerous applications in drug delivery as well as in tissue engineering where they are used as scaffolds for the cultivation of cells to enable the formation of new tissues (Jen et al. 1996; Krsko & Libera, 2005; Langer & Tirrell, 2004; Peppas et al., 2006). Hydrogels are especially attractive for this purpose as they meet numerous characteristics of the architecture and mechanics of most soft tissues and many are considered biocompatible (Jhon & Andrade, 1973; Saha et al., 2007). Furthermore, concerning the intended purpose of cell encapsulation and delivery, hydrogels support sufficient transport of oxygen, nutrients

and wastes (Fedorovich et al., 2007; Lee & Mooney, 2001; Nguyen & West, 2002).

In general, hydrogel matrices can be prepared from a variety of naturally derived proteins and polysaccharides, as well as from synthetic polymers (Peppas et al., 2006). Depending on their origin and composition, natural polymers have specific utilities and properties. Hydrogels from natural sources have for example been fabricated from collagen, hyaluronic acid (HA), fibrin, alginate and agarose (Hoffman, 2002). Collagen, HA and fibrin are

adhesive PEG material when it is topographically patterned.

**1.1 Application of hydrogels in biomaterial science** 

**1. Introduction** 
