Volume 57, Issue 23 pp. 6800-6804
Communication

Polyvalent Display of Biomolecules on Live Cells

Dr. Peng Shi

Dr. Peng Shi

Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802 USA

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Nan Zhao

Nan Zhao

Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802 USA

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Dr. Jinping Lai

Dr. Jinping Lai

Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802 USA

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James Coyne

James Coyne

Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802 USA

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Dr. Erin R. Gaddes

Dr. Erin R. Gaddes

Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802 USA

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Prof. Yong Wang

Corresponding Author

Prof. Yong Wang

Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802 USA

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First published: 29 January 2018
Citations: 60

Graphical Abstract

The more the merrier: Biomolecules on live cells play essential roles in determining how cells recognize the environment. The surface of live cells can be functionalized to display polyvalent biomolecular structures for enhanced molecular recognition compared to monovalent functionalization.

Abstract

Surface display of biomolecules on live cells offers new opportunities to treat human diseases and perform basic studies. Existing methods are primarily focused on monovalent functionalization, that is, the display of single biomolecules across the cell surface. Here we show that the surface of live cells can be functionalized to display polyvalent biomolecular structures through two-step reactions under physiological conditions. This polyvalent functionalization enables the cell surface to recognize the microenvironment one order of magnitude more effectively than with monovalent functionalization. Thus, polyvalent display of biomolecules on live cells holds great potential for various biological and biomedical applications.

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