Sticky DNA Makes Cells Cluster

Tissue engineers usually rely on artificial scaffolds to assemble cells, but UC-SF chemist Zev Gartner and Carolyn Bertozzi have developed a technique that relies on snippets of single stranded DNA, anchored on membranes, to attach cells via DNA complementary binding, somewhat analogous to the way Velcro works.  When growth-factor dependent cells were “velcroed” to growth-factor secreting cells, they formed clusters.  While the DNA binding is short lived, the researchers suspect these cells, once joined, may produce their own molecular glue to longer term adhesion.     MORE

Image Credit: Bertozzi Lab