Antibiofouling polymer interfaces: poly(ethylene glycol) and other promising candidates. Issue 2 (4th November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lowe, Sean; O'Brien-Simpson, Neil M.; Connal, Luke A.
• Is Part Of: Polymer chemistry. Volume 6:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 198
• Page End: 212
• Publication Date: 2014-11-04
• Subjects: Polymers -- Periodicals; Macromolecules -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1039/c4py01356e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-9954

Abstract

Abstract : This review highlights antibiofouling polymer interfaces with emphasis on the latest developments using poly(ethylene glycol) and the design new polymeric structures. Abstract : Nonspecific protein adsorption and/or microbial adsorption on biomedical materials adversely affects the efficacy of a range of biomedical systems, from implants and biosensors to nanoparticles. To address this problem, antibiofouling polymers can be coated on biomedical devices or built into nanoparticles to confer protein and/or microbial repellent properties. The current review provides an overview of the range of synthetic polymers currently used to this end and explores their biomedical potential. The most widely-used antifouling polymer, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is reviewed alongside several promising alternatives, including zwitterionic polymers, poly(hydroxyfunctional acrylates), poly(2-oxazoline)s, poly(vinylpyrrolidone), poly(glycerol), peptides and peptoids. For each material, notable applications for both nanomedicine and macroscopic surface coatings are highlighted.