Rapid and reversible photoswitching of cell adhesion is achieved by c(RGDfK)-azobenzenes embedded in a poly(ethylene glycol) background on surfaces. The light-induced cis-trans-isomerization of the azobenzene enables switching of cell adhesion on the surface. Reversibility of switching over several consecutive switching cycles is demonstrated by single-cell force spectroscopy.
Keywords: atomic force microscopy; cell adhesion; integrin; photoswitching; surface chemistry.
© 2015 The Authors. Published by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.