Protein-surface interactions smart surfaces

One of the most active research areas in the field of materials science coneems the control and modification of surfaces and interfaces, also known as surfaee engineering [63, 72]. This is indeed an important tool in the design and control of molecular mechanisms for protein adsorption and material-cell interactions for different and specific biological and biotechnological applications. Thus, the surface can be functionalized with fouling/anti-fouhng properties, specific groups to promote cell material interactions, smart behavior (stimuli responsive or environmentally sensitive) or with micro- or nano-pattems. 

On the other hand, cells and proteins exhibit space- and time-dependent dynamic changes in their conformations and functionalities in the human body. Since the 1990s, dynamic switchable surfaces have been comprehensively studied in order to control the biomolecular dynamics by modification with smart polymers [6], which show changes in their conformations and properties in response to external stimuli. Among them, thermo-responsive poly(AT-isopropylacrylamide) (PNlPA/ m) is one of the most successful models to control the interaction between biomolecules and the grafted substrates by temperature... 

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