Characterization Techniques of Living Cells Encapsulated with Nanomaterials - Cell Surface Engineering: Fabrication of Functional Nanoshells - page 80

CHAPTER 5
Characterization Techniques of
Living Cells Encapsulated with
Nanomaterials

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MUSTAFA ÇULHA

Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and
Architecture, Yeditepe University, Atas ehir, Istanbul, 34755, Turkey

Email: [e-mail]; [e-mail]

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5.1 Introduction
The use of molecules and polymers of biological origins to construct novel
biomolecular structures with improved properties or to replace existing en-
vironmentally unfriendly materials is a major area of research. Although a
tremendous amount of success in the construction of such materials has
been achieved in recent years, reaching the level of complexity and function
of living systems is far from where we stand at the moment. Another ap-
proach is to use existing living systems to construct novel tools and devices.
In this context, the modification of living cells of micro-organisms and eu-
karyotic cells is pursued. 1-3
Since a foreign material is to be placed onto the cell surface, it is critical to
understand the nature of interactions between the living system and the
material. A microscopic technique can help to visualize the localization of
the materials in the cell or on the cell surface. However, this information
alone may not be enough to understand the molecular nature of the inter-
actions between molecular structures and materials placed on the cell sur-
face. Therefore, the use of a spectroscopic technique is necessary. In

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