Protein adhesion at poly(ethylene glycol) modified surface

The inhibition of protein adsorption to the surfaces of biomedical devices is a crucial requirement for avoiding implant-associated infections or thro mbus formation on blood-contacting artificial surfaces and thus for increas ing the long-term biocompatibility of the devices. Here, the use of surface plasmon resonance and scanning force microscopy using protein-modified tip s (see Figure) to study protein adhesion on poly (ethylene glycol) grafted polymer materials is discussed. The PEG-grafted materials are revealed to h ave significantly reduced affinity to proteins.