This research will explore the use of four different chemicals to covalently immobilize biologically active peptides and proteins on orthopedic and dental biomaterials. Six different orthopedic biomaterials will be used; namely, 316L stainless steel, cp Ti, Ti- 6Al-4V, Co-Cr-Mo, hydroxyapatite, and alumina). Four different immobilization chemistries will be tested; namely tresyl chloride, p- nitrophenyl chloroformate, divinylsulfone, and bisepoxide. Alpha-amylase, carbonic anhydrase, REDV and RGDS will be coupled to the substrate and the amount, stability, and activity of the immobilized ligands will be ascertained. This research could lead to new methods to create biologically active surfaces for orthopaedic and other implant materials and could have applications in related fields, such as tissue engineering.
