Joseph Cappello

Injection Molding of ProNectin®F Dispersed in Polystyrene for The Fabrication of Plastic Ware Activated Towards Attachment of Mammalian Cells

ProNectin®F is a recombinant engineered protein polymer of de novo design which incorporates the RGD epitope recognized by mammalian cell integrins. It is biologically active as a cell attachment protein, manifests properties of a planar polymeric surfactant, and is extremely resistant to thermal degradation. ProNectin®F was dispersed onto polystyrene powder, fabricated into plastic ware through injection molding, and the plastic ware was shown to have cell attachment activity. This technology represents a new paradigm for the production of plastic ware useful for mammalian cell culture under serum free conditions; and more generally, for the production of molded devices for use in contact with cells in vitro or in vivo .