We have investigated the potential of several polymers based on perfluoropo
lyether (PFPE) macromonomers for use in biomaterial applications. Polymer n
etworks were synthesised from the PFPE macromonomers of increasing chain le
ngth and the adhesion and proliferation of corneal, vascular and bone cells
was evaluated on these polymers. The polymer surfaces were quite hydrophob
ic, having sessile air-water contact angles ranging between 96 and 125 degr
ees. However, these polymers supported the attachment and growth of bovine
corneal epithelial and endothelial cells and fibroblasts at 60-100% of the
rate of cell growth on the culture substratum, TCPS. Furthermore, the PFPE
polymers supported the attachment and growth of vascular endothelial cells
(from human umbilical artery) and human bone-derived cells over a 7 day per
iod at an equal level to TCPS. The relationship between the macromonomer ch
ain length (n = 1 to 4) and the ability of the resulting PFPE homopolymer t
o support the overgrowth of corneal epithelial tissue was also evaluated. T
he PFPE-containing polymers supported corneal epithelial tissue overgrowth,
with the most effective having a performance equivalent to that of TCPS. T
n addition to these homopolymers, copolymers comprising of PFPE and N,N-dim
ethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) were also synthesised. Surprisingly,
the addition of DMAEMA to the PFPE polymer network lead to a reduction in t
he growth and attachment of corneal epithelial cells and fibroblasts. These
results indicate that PFPE-based materials show a potential for use in the
development of biomaterials in the ocular, vascular and orthopaedic areas.