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Bioengineering

Cellular control in two clicks

Nature volume 460, pages 469–470 (2009)Cite this article

If complex tissues are to be engineered, synthetic materials will be needed that provide cells with precisely located molecular cues. A method that attaches such cues to specific areas of a gel could be the answer.

Contrary to popular belief, George Washington's dentures weren't made of wood — they were actually made of ivory and gold. As with many other materials that have been used in biological systems, ivory and gold are relatively inert, and simply provided mechanical support for their intended application. Although giving biomaterials only a supporting role restricts their applications, it has nevertheless led to the development of a range of clinically useful materials (such as bone cements) and implantable devices (such as fixation plates for holding fractured bones in place). But what is really needed are biologically active materials that interact with and signal to surrounding cells and tissues.

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Figure 1: Clicking into place.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jason A. Burdick is in the Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. burdick2@seas.upenn.edu,

    Jason A. Burdick

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  1. Jason A. Burdick
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Burdick, J. Cellular control in two clicks. Nature 460, 469–470 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/460469a

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