Haptotactic peprides

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The invention claimed is: 1.
An isolated haptotactic peptide of 20 amino acids consisting of the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, characterized in that the haptotactic peptide induces cell attachment to a surface to which the haptotactic peptide is covalently bound, inasmuch as the number of cells attached to the surface is at least 50% greater than the number of cells attached to the surface in the absence of the peptide.
2.
An isolated haptotactic peptide consisting of an active fragment of the 20 amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, wherein the active fragment comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:11 or SEQ ID NO:12 and is characterized in that the haptotactic peptide induces cell attachment to a surface to which the haptotactic peptide is covalently bound, inasmuch as the number of cells attached to the surface is at least 50% greater than the number of cells attached to the surface in the absence of the peptide.
3.
A composition, comprising the isolated haptotactic peptide of claim 1, and a carrier.
4.
The composition of claim 3, wherein said haptotactic peptide is for covalent attachment to the surface of a medical device.
5.
The composition of claim 4, wherein said medical device is a medical implant.
6.
The composition of claim 3, wherein said haptotactic peptide is covalently attached to a bead.
7.
The composition of claim 3, wherein said haptotactic peptide is covalently attached to a matrix.
8.
The composition of claim 3, further comprising at least one isolated haptotactic peptide having a sequence other than the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.
9.
The composition of claim 3, wherein the haptotactic peptide is derivatized with a fluorescent tag.
10.
The composition of claim 3, wherein the haptotactic peptide is derivatized with a radioactive tag.
11.
A composition comprising the isolated haptotactic peptide of claim 2 and a carrier.
12.
The composition of claim 11, further comprising at least a drug or biological agent