PROTEIN ADSORPTION AND MATERIALS BIOCOMPATIBILITY: A TUTORIAL REVIEW AND SUGGESTED HYPOTEHESES.

Abstract

A comprehensive review of protein adsorption at solid-liquid interfaces is presented, including a brief review of protein structure and the principles of protein adsorption. Adsorption-based biocompatibility hypotheses and correlations are discussed, including surface charge, interface energetics, passivation, protein-resistant surfaces, and the role of adsorbed immunoglobulins and complement. New methods for the study of protein adsorption are discussed, including total internal reflection techniques (absorbance, fluorescence, and raman) and ellipsometry. Qualitative 'rules of thumb' of protein adsorption are also presented.