The effect of wettability and stiffness on stem cell behavior at bioinerfaces

This thesis shows new approaches to influence known materials to identify optimal physical parameters and parameter combinations at biointerfaces and how these affect early cellular behavior. It is important to carefully test the parameters of the biointerface towards cell response in a systematic way in order to yield strong conclusions from it. Therefore, the generation of systems which allow this kind of testing is the main achievement of this thesis. Here, materials frequently used in the clinics are modified using innovative approaches, which hopefully facilitates a shorter route to actual clinical applications. Surface gradient testing devices, which are capable of elucidating effects of wettability, stiffness and their combination are developed and used for the 2D biointerface testing. In order to test efficiently in a 3D environment as well as the possibility to change three parameters in independent directions, first attempts to manipulate stiffness in a 3D system were made. This material is further facilitated as potential wound healing material. At the end, findings and general conclusions are placed in perspective where system drawbacks are still eminent but great strides are expected to be made in the field of biointerfaces as initial findings presented in this thesis have enabled this. The idea of combining and systematically manipulating physical parameters is presented and possibilities for future improvements are displayed.