Merging Modular Molecular Design with High Throughput Screening of Cell Adhesion on Antimicrobial Supramolecular Biomaterials.

A polymer microarray based on the supramolecular ureido-pyrimidinone (UPy) moiety was fabricated to screen antimicrobial materials for their ability to support cell adhesion. UPy-functionalized additives, either cell-adhesive, antimicrobial or control peptides, were used, and investigated in different combinations at different concentrations, resulting in a library of 194 spots. These were characterized on composition and morphology to evaluate the microarray fabrication. Normal human dermal fibroblasts were cultured on the microarrays and cell adhesion to the spots was systematically analyzed. Results demonstrated enhanced cell adhesion on spots with combinations including the antimicrobial peptides. This study clearly proves the power of the high throughput approach in combination with supramolecular molecules, to screen additive libraries for desired biological response. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.