Project will provide insight into the deposition of plasma polymers with varied nitrogen and oxygen content that are promising for bioapplications including tissue engineering. Understanding the film structure influenced by the power invested into the plasma and leading to the gas-phase dissociation and chemical reactions together with the effect of ions delivering energy towards the growing film is a necessary step for tuning the deposition towards the specific and demanding requirements. The investigation of factors influencing the adhesion and proliferation of endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells in cultures on plasma polymers with varied chemical composition, cross-linking, stability and reactivity towards ECM proteins will unravel the complex and up-to-now unclear relationships. Their deeper understanding will help
to make advances in engineering of materials for vascular tissues, especial because we will combine plasma polymers with electrospun polymer nanofibers into one unique material with tunable microstructure, surface chemistry and biodegradability.

Publications