Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
glucose biosensors designed for 'real-time' monitoring of glucose level in
diabetic patients.
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The products released from materials can also affect the behavior of
surrounding cells and the function of the immune system. With incomplete
polymerization of dental composite, the release of triethylene glycol dime-
thacrylate (TEGDMA) or 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) monomers can
cause cell death and DNA damage due to the formation of reactive oxygen
species at the interface. They can also delay cell cycles; inhibit the function
of odontoblasts and pulp-derived stem cells. For development of more
effective dental therapies and smart composites used in contact with dif-
ferent oral tissues, thorough understanding these events is required.
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7.2.2.1 Methodology of Examination
The interaction of cells with the composite surface can be quantified by
investigating cell attachment, growth, proliferation, gene expression, extra-
cellular matrix production and mineralization (in the case of bone).
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Dy-
namics of cell-matrix interaction including cell-matrix anchorage, cell-cell
communication and real-time shear stress-induced adhesion dynamics,
have been examined using surface plasmon resonance imaging ellipsometry
(SPRIE).
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Dynamics of the cytoskeletal polymers, e.g., microtubules and
actin filaments of migrating or dividing cells have been investigated by total
internal fluorescent speckle microscopy (TIR-FSM) and wide field epi-fluo-
rescence FSM.
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.
7.3 State-of-the-Art 'Talking' to Living Organisms
Surface features, including chemistry,
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topography (e.g., grooves and ridges
or pits and pillars),
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roughness,
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wettability, free energy, and com-
pliance,
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of a biomaterial significantly affect its interaction with cells and/or
biomolecules. Some modern materials are designed to sense changes in
the surrounding environment and then respond to such changes. In
many respects, these materials behave like living organisms and therefore
could be described as 'smart'. These smart materials should be able to adapt
to a dynamically evolving environment and maintain harmony with it.
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These smart multi-functional composites represent the future generation
platforms for designing three-dimensional scaffolds for both drug delivery
and tissue engineering applications.
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In this chapter, composites having
biomimetic or on-demand responsive matrices or fillers that enable
flexible design of macroscopic and microscopic architectures are also
considered smart.
The next section covers biomimetic and smart materials as well as the
most up-to-date knowledge and bio-inspired approaches to control living
organisms (e.g., cells, viruses, microorganisms, or biomolecules) or tissue
responses to synthetic biomaterials or implantable devices.
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