Control of ligand display in time and space on nAnopatterned Surfaces for Cell ADhEsion – CASCADE

The current nano-biotechnologies interfacing synthetic materials and cell biology requires a better understanding of cell–surface interactions on the micro-to-nanometer scale. It is the aim of the CASCADE project to develop new patterned surfaces exhibiting both nano and micro structurations. Our strategy is to combine the PLL-copolymer approach that allows functionalization of surfaces with biomolecules at the micrometer scale, with block copolymer micelle nanolithography which enables the organization of well-defined gold nanoparticles with particle spacings below 100 nm. As a proof of concept we will focus on the assessement of crosstalk between integrins and cadherins in cell adhesion, motility and contraction. In this context we will localize E-cadherin extracellular domains on the gold nanoparticles in a background of thermoswitchable PNIPAM polymers functionalized with RGD peptide fragments specific to integrins.