Influence of micro- and nanostructered titanium surfaces on surrounding bio-systems (CeMaTif)

Influence of micro- and nanostructered titanium surfaces on surrounding bio-systems (CeMaTif)

It is well known that cells react on chemical or topographical alterations of the surfaces they are attached to. Despite that, the underlying mechanisms causing these interactions are most widely unknown. Thus, the DFG funded project CeMaTif, consisting of four research groups from Rostock and Tübingen, aims at a better understanding of the influences which micro- and nanostructured titanium surfaces exert on adjoining biosystems.

Titanium surfaces which were machined differently by the working group of Prof. Dr. Kern at the University of Tübingen were physico-chemically distinguished by the group of PD. Dr. Beck in Rostock. Then osteoblasts were seeded on these surfaces and cytological analyses were performed by the group of PD. Dr. Nebe after a defined period of time. Based on the data arising from these experiments we develop regression models that describe the influence of the surfaces on the cytological quantities. This helps detecting crucial surface parameters for the cellular behaviour.The identified surface parameters will then be used for the development of mechanistic models which can also simulate time-critical behaviour. Cellular reactions can then be predicted by these models from the structural surface design. The expected insights are supposed to be used for the purposeful development of bio-functional implants, which can ensure e.g. sustainability or an improved wound healing.

catterplot of Fl_3h (cell spreading of Osteoblasts

Scatterplot of Fl_3h (cell spreading of Osteoblasts having grown on different titanium surfaces for 3 hours) against Pku (the kurtosis of the primary surface profile of the corresponding surfaces). The illustration suggests that Pku has a quadratic effect on Fl_3h.