| Summary: | Biocompatible materials can be defined as materials which can be introduced into a
living organism without producing stress or traumatic response. When a solid material
comes in contact with a biological medium, a layer of protein immediately binds to the
surface. Subsequent defensive responses depend on the type and binding orientation of the
protein on the surface. Therefore, primary surface protein binding is directly related to the
type of physiological response observed in the body.
Surfaces coated with grafted hydrophilic polymers can reduce non-specific protein
adsorption. The hydrophilic nature of the grafted chain reduces the hydrophobic driving
force. The long grafted chains extending out through the electrical double layer can reduce
electrostatic driving forces. Non-specific protein can be excluded by the grafted chains and
the solvent trapped between grafted chains.
Polymer chains of hydrophilic poly(N,N -dimethylacrylamide) of different lengths
were polymerized in situ by initiation from aldehyde groups on the surface of polystyrene
latex. Using the techniques of particle electrophoresis, conductometric titration and
elemental analysis, the surfaces of these latexes were analyzed. The adsorption isotherms
of human serum albumin (HS A) to these latexes were measured. The results indicate that
HSA has an affinity for the grafted poly(N,N -dimethylacrylamide). The exclusion effect of
the grafted polymer in reducing HSA adsorption was greatest with the medium length
grafted chains. The shorter or longer grafted chains on the latex did not reduce HSA
adsorption compared with non-grafted latex. === Medicine, Faculty of === Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of === Graduate
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