1. Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials Research Group, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium;2. Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Abstract:
In the present work, the gelatin/fibronectin affinity was evaluated using SPR, QCM and radiolabelling. The results indicate that type A gelatin films possess a higher affinity for Fn compared to type B gelatin. This is due to a combined hydrophobic and electrostatic interaction between gelatin type A and Fn. In a second part, the affinity of Fn for porous gelatin scaffolds was evaluated. The scaffolds were prepared by a cryogenic treatment and subsequent freeze‐drying yielding type I and type II scaffolds which possess different pore geometries/sizes. The results indicate that the Fn density on the scaffolds can be fine‐tuned by varying the Fn concentration, the gelatin type (A vs. B), the pore size/geometry (type I vs. type II scaffolds).