PROTEINS AND CELLS ON PEG IMMOBILIZED SILICON SURFACES

Silicon surfaces were modified by covalent attachment of a self-assemb led (SA) polyethylene glycol (PEG) film. Adsorption of albumin, fibrin ogen, and IgG to PEG immobilized silicon surfaces was studied by ellip sometry to evaluate the non-fouling and non-immunogenic properties of the surfaces. The adhesion and proliferation of human fibroblast and H ela cells onto the modified surfaces were investigated to examine thei r tissue biocompatibility. Coated PEG chains showed the effective depr ession of both plasma protein adsorption and cell attachment to the mo dified surfaces. The mechanisms accounting for the reduction of protei n adsorption and cell adhesion on modified surfaces were discussed. (C ) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.