TITLE:
Correlations of Materials Surface Properties with Biological Responses
AUTHORS:
Robert E. Baier
KEYWORDS:
Surface Property, Biological Response, Adhesive, Blood-Contacting Materials
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Surface Engineered Materials and Advanced Technology,
Vol.5 No.1,
January
7,
2015
ABSTRACT: More than 50 years have passed since it was first recognized that the surface properties, and predominantly
the surface energies of materials controlled their interactions with all biological
phases via their spontaneous acquisition of proteinaceous “conditioning films” of differing degrees
of denaturation but usually of the same substances within any given system. This led to the
understanding that useful engineering control of such interactions could thus be manifested
through adjustments to those surface properties, giving significant control and utility to the biomaterials
developer without requiring detailed discovery of the biological specifications of the
components involved. Thus, effective selection of adhesive versus abhesive (non-stick, non-retention)
outcomes for such useful appliances as dental implants versus substitute blood vessels, or
water-resistant bonded structures versus clean, nontoxic ship bottoms is now facilitated with little
biological background required. A historical overview is presented, followed by a brief survey
of the forces involved and most useful analyses applied. Utility for blood-contacting materials is
described in contrast to utility for bone- and tissue-contacting materials, demonstrating practical
uses in controlling cell-surface interactions and preventing biofouling. New research directions
being explored are noted, urging applications of this prior knowledge to replace the use of toxicants.