| abstract |
Multifunctional, polyionic copolymers are synthesized on/or applied to substrate surfaces for analytical and sensing purposes, the coatings being particularly useful for suppression of non-specific interaction, adsorption or attachment. Groups can be coupled to, integrated into or absorbed to the multifunctional polymer that are able to recognize, interact with and bind specifically to target analyte molecules. These materials can also be used to modulate biological interactions upon substrate surfaces for use as selective implant surfaces that resist cell attachment and may optionally promote the attachment of specific cell types or induce a particular cellular behaviour. The multifunctional polymer coatings typically include brush copolymers based on a polycationic or polyanionic backbone with side chains that control interaction with the environment, such as poly(ethylene glycol) or poly(ethylene oxide)-based side chains that decrease cellular adhesion, and analyte-specific side chains. |