Functionalizing the glycocalyx of living cells with supramolecular guest ligands for cucurbit[8]uril-mediated assembly

Multiple naphthol ligands were installed on the glycocalyx of white blood cells via metabolic labeling and subsequent strain promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition. Only when cucurbit[8]uril was present to drive the formation of ternary complexes, cells specifically assembled on a methylviologen functionalized supported lipid bilayer through multivalent interactions. Metabolically presented naphthol ligands on the glycocalyx to trap cells to non-fouling lipid bilayers by heterocomplexation with cucurbit[8]uril and methylviologen.