Member of the Research Training Group, 1.12.2011 - 31.08.2012

Expression and electrophysiological activity of calcium channels in osteoblasts in dependence on surface topography of biomaterials

(continued by: Susanne Stählke)

Calcium is a key mediator in osteoblast signaling, involved in essential cellular functions like gene transcription, proliferation or expression of extracellular matrix proteins. Intracellular calcium concentration is highly regulated by Ca2+ channels in osteoblast cells.
These channels are anchored to actin in osteoblasts and their activity depends for instance on actin polymerization status.
Because it has been shown that surface characteristics of biomaterials alter the organization and localization of the actin cytoskeleton in human osteoblasts, it raises the question what influence does surface topography have on Ca2+ channel activity and localization.

• Analysis of expression of Ca2+ channels in human osteoblasts
• Electrophysiological characterization by patch clamp techniques

Conference publications:

STEFFEN, J., STAEHLKE, S., MATSCHEGEWSKI, C., KUNZ, F., LOEFFLER, R. and NEBE, JB., 2012.  Correlation of calcium channel expression and actin organization – bone cells on microstructures. BioNanoMaterials, 13 (1-4), pp. 219.

STEFFEN, J., KUNZ, F. and NEBE, J.B., 2012. Calcium channel expression in human osteoblasts. 4th International Symposium Interface Biology of Implants (IBI) 2012, from 09 - 11 May 2012, Rostock, Germany, Abstracts, ISBN 978-3-00-038220-8, pp. 77.

KUNZ, F., QUADE, A., MATSCHEGEWSKI, C., STÄHLKE, S., BIRKHOLZ, H., REBL, H., STEFFEN, J. and NEBE, B.,  2012. Actin cytoskeleton mediated cell response of osteoblasts to plasma amino functionalized titanium surfaces. 4th International Symposium Interface Biology of Implants (IBI) 2012, from 09 - 11 May 2012, Rostock, Germany, Abstracts, ISBN 978-3-00-038220-8, pp. 49.

• Prof. Dr. J. B. Nebe
• Dr. Friederike Kunz