Switchable coatings for biomedical applications

The control over protein adsorption is of major importance for a variety of biomedical applications from diagnostic assays to tissue engineered medical devices. Most research has focused on the prevention of non-specific protein adsorption on solid substrates. Examples for surface modifications that significantly reduce protein adsorption include the grafting of polyacrylamide, poly (ethylene oxide) and polysaccharides. Here, we describe a method for creating surfaces that prevent non-specific protein adsorption, which in addition can be transformed into surfaces showing high protein adsorption on demand. Doped silicon wafers were used as substrate materials. Coatings were constructed by deposition of allylamine plasma polymer. The subsequent grafting of poly (ethylene oxide) aldehyde resulted in a surface with low protein fouling character. When the conductive silicon wafer was used as an electrode, the resulting field induced the adsorption of selected proteins. Surface modifications were analysed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. The controlled adsorption of proteins was investigated using a colorimetric assay to test enzymatic activity. The method described here represents an effective tool for the control over protein adsorption and is expected to find use in a variety of biomedical applications particularly in the area of biochips.