Supported membranes on soft polymer cushions: fabrication, characterization and applications

Soft biofunctional and biocompatible interfaces on solids designed by the d eposition of ultrathin soft polymer films or supported membranes have numer ous scientific and practical applications, These include the immobilization of glycolipids, membrane receptors and proteins to generate models of cell and tissue surfaces. Powerful surface-sensitive techniques can be applied to study protein-protein recognition processes at membranes and the control of cell adhesion by the interplay of specific 'lock-and-key' forces and un iversal interfacial forces. Potential practical applications include the de sign of smart biosensors based on electro-optical devices and the fabricati on of biofunctional surfaces for the stimulation of cell proliferation and tissue growth, or for the suppression of apoptosis.