Over a two year period, the research will focus on Biosurface Contact and Bioadhesion Studies Using Atomic Force Microscopy, using fungal spores. Other aspects of the research will address monocyte and hepatocyte adhesion to reference substrata. Surface characterization expertise at UB will supplement the research performed by Towson and Frostburg undergraduates and faculty. IUCB colleagues at the U.S. Army Biotechnology Program and at the US FDA Division of Mechanics and Materials also will participate in the program.
In addition to providing quantitative, time dependent evaluations of hepatocyte, monocyte, and fungal spore attachment strengths to different substrata, this study will produce techniques that can be applied to other applications involving cell and/or particle adhesion. These techniques could be applied to the dental and medical industries, as well as environmental health issues of the paint and xerography industies.
