Surface Treatment of Polymeric Materials Controlling the Adhesion of Biomolecules

Abstract

This review describes different strategies of surface elaboration for a better control of biomolecule adsorption. After a brief description of the fundamental interactions between surfaces and biomolecules, various routes of surface elaboration are presented dealing with the attachment of functional groups mostly thanks to plasma techniques, with the grafting to and from methods, and with the adsorption of surfactants. The grafting of stimuli-responsive polymers is also pointed out. Then, the discussion is focused on the protein adsorption phenomena showing how their interactions with solid surfaces are complex. The adsorption mechanism is proved to be dependent on the solid surface physicochemical properties as well as on the surface and conformation properties of the proteins. Different behaviors are also reported for complex multiple protein solutions.

Simple Coatings to Render Polystyrene Protein Resistant

“…For example, in the biomedical sector, devices such as biosensors will produce false signals when covered in proteins and filtration membranes are known to suffer, as biomolecular adhesion causes blockage of the membrane, thus preventing flow through the device [1,2]. Bio-fluids, and in particular proteins, cause this fouling phenomenon because they are charged particles that are amphiphilic and amphoteric, and therefore adsorb easily to most materials [3]. Because of the wide-reaching problems biofouling is causing, and because it is effectively halting other advances in science, particularly in biomedical engineering, a significant amount of research has been conducted to create surfaces which can reduce non-specific protein adsorption [2].…”

“…The denaturing exposes the hydrophobic segments (originally often on the inside of the protein to be separated from the polar solvent) to increase the hydrophobic bond with the surface, leading to a gain in entropy upon adsorption [3][4][5]. In the case of hydrophilic surfaces, hydration of the polar surface is very favourable and large entropies must therefore be achieved to ensure that the adsorption energy overcomes the interfering water molecules/water barrier [3][4][5]. Research has shown that proteins do not denature greatly on hydrophilic surfaces and thus do not spread on the surface of the substrate as readily as on hydrophobic surfaces [6].…”

“…Research has shown that proteins do not denature greatly on hydrophilic surfaces and thus do not spread on the surface of the substrate as readily as on hydrophobic surfaces [6]. Therefore, on hydrophilic surfaces, adsorption is mainly due to coulomb forces between charged proteins and the surface [3][4][5]. et al [22,23].…”

Collagen immobilization on poly(ethylene terephthalate) and polyurethane films after UV functionalization

“…[1,2] Thus, the modification of polymeric surfaces is of great importance aiming to develop materials that could maximize the materials performance in specific applications. Surface modification aims to tailor the surface characteristics of a material without affecting the bulk properties.…”

Assessment of block and random copolymer overlayers on polymer optical fibers toward protein detection through electrostatic interaction

“…17 The results drawn on polymer materials choice could be afterwards applied also in other resonant like photonics platforms for serving more demanding applications with the associated however corresponding cost of integration complexity. 18 …”