Biofunctional Surfaces

Model systems range from the unique water structures at solid surfaces and water shells around proteins and biomembranes, via amino and nucleic acids, proteins, DNA, phospholipid membranes, to cells and living tissue at surfaces. At one end of the spectrum the scientific challenge is to map out the structures, bonding, dynamics and kinetics of biomolecules at surfaces in a similar way as has been done for simple molecules during the past three decades in surface science. At the other end of the complexity spectrum one addresses how biofunctional surfaces participate in and can be designed to constructively participate in the total communication system of cells and tissue. ... 

Surface engineering aims for a defined physical, chemical, or biomolecular modification of material surfaces in order to create biofunctional surfaces that ensure biocompatibility (noninteractive materials) and in many cases additionally bioactivity of the material (interactive biomaterials) for a certain application. The design of appropriate biofunctional surfaces is important for the proper function of biosensors, membranes or implants, for the use as... 

Surface density, orientation and/or molecular conformation of the immobilized bioactive components, and/or nonspecific adsorption of biopolymers will control the performance of biofunctional surfaces. Options to address... 

Although a very large number of promising surface engineering strategies have been developed, the availability of biofunctional surfaces that resist nonspecific bioadsorption and retain bioactivity is often still a challenge. 

Due to the multitude of different biofunctional surfaces for various applications, we will concentrate on selected examples highlighting some principles to control the interaction of a biomaterial (i.e., adsorption, adhesion, and activation) with the bioenvironment, including proteins, cells, and organisms. 

Here, we will shortly highlight a commercially available heparin-based biofunctional surface coating that is used to enhance blood compatibility of medical devices. The second example will illustrate that biomolecular function can be translated into fully synthetic systems and altered beyond the naturally... 

---