Microbial colonization, infection, and biofilm formation are major complications in the use of implants and are the predominant risk factors in implant failure. Although aseptic surgery and the administration of antimicrobial drugs may reduce the risk of infection, the systemic use of antibiotics can lead to a lack of efficacy, an increase in the risk of tissue toxicity, and the development of drug-resistant

In this work, we report on the stability of oxygen-rich plasma-polymerized (pp) films in an aqueous environment. The pp films were deposited via atmospheric-pressure plasma jet treatment of polymerizable organic liquids. The monomers used for the plasma-assisted polymerization were tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate, 1,2,4-trivinylcyclohexane, and mixtures thereof. The pp films were deposited at different

Nanomaterials form a complex called “protein corona” by contacting with protein-containing biological fluids such as serum when they are exposed to physiological environments. The characteristics of these proteins, which are one of the substantial factors in cellular response, are affected by the interactions between the nanomaterials and the biological systems. Many studies have investigated the biological

The hydrophobically modified glycol chitosan (HGC) nanomicelle has received increasing attention as a promising platform for the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs. To improve the tumor selectivity of HGC, here an avidin and biotin functionalization strategy was applied. The hydrodynamic diameter of the biotin-avidin-functionalized HGC (cy5.5-HGC-B4F) was observed to be 104.7 nm, and the surface charge

The advantages of applying multivariate analysis to mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) data have been thoroughly demonstrated in recent decades. The identification and visualization of complex relationships between pixels in a hyperspectral data set can provide unique insights into the underlying surface chemistry. It is now recognized that most MSI data contain nonlinear relationships, which has led

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 highlights the global need for platform technologies to enable the rapid development of diagnostics, vaccines, treatments, and personal protective equipment (PPE). However, many current technologies require the detailed mechanistic knowledge of specific material-virion interactions before they can be employed, for example, to aid in the purification of vaccine components

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a widely used biodegradable polyester for tissue engineering applications when long-term degradation is preferred. In this article, we focused on the analysis of the hydrolytic degradation of virgin and bioactive poly(sodium styrene sulfonate) (pNaSS) functionalized PCL surfaces under simulated physiological conditions (phosphate buffer saline at 25 and 37 °C) for up to 120 weeks

Plasma polymerization of (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO) yields thin films containing stable nitroxide radicals that have properties analogous to that of nitric oxide (NO) without short lifetimes. This property gives TEMPO films a wide variety of potential applications. Typically, control of the final film chemistry is difficult and the plasma discharge conditions must be tailored to

Cold physical plasmas are emerging tools for wound care and cancer control that deliver reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS). Alongside direct effects on cellular signaling processes, covalent modification of biomolecules may contribute to the observed physiological consequences. The potential of ROS/RNS generated by two different plasma sources (kINPen and COST-Jet) to introduce

Fluorescent nanodiamonds (NDs) coated with therapeutics and cell-targeting structures serve as effective tools for drug delivery. However, NDs circulating in blood can eventually interact with the blood-brain barrier, resulting in undesired pathology. Here, we aimed to detect interaction between NDs and adult brain tissue. First, we cultured neuronal tissue with ND ex vivo and studied cell prosperity

Surface modification of biomaterials is a strategy used to improve cellular and in vivo outcomes. However, most studies do not evaluate the lifetime of the introduced surface layer, which is an important aspect affecting how a biomaterial will interact with a cellular environment both in the short and in the long term. This study evaluated the surface layer stability in vitro in buffer solution of

It has long been recognized that liquid interfaces, such as the air–water interface (AWI), can enhance the formation of protein fibrils. This makes liquid interfaces attractive templates for fibril formation but fully realizing this requires knowledge of protein behavior at interfaces, which is currently lacking. To address this, molecular dynamics simulation is used to investigate fragments of amyloid

A drug-eluting coating applied onto biomedical devices and implants is an appropriate way to ensure that an inhibitory concentration of antimicrobial drugs is present at the device surface, thus preventing surface colonization and subsequent biofilm formation. In this study, a thin polymer coating was applied to materials, and it acted as a drug-delivery reservoir capable of surface delivery of the

Barnacles are able to effectively adhere to most surfaces underwater. Dewetting of the corresponding surface prior to the release of their permanent adhesive plays an important role in the attachment process. Possibly, a surface that is able to interfere with this process may have exceptional fouling repellence and fouling release abilities. Therefore, open-pored foams made from polydimethylsiloxane

Precise characterization of a monolayer of two different biomolecules in a gradient pattern on a glass surface puts high demand on the method used. Some techniques can detect protein monolayers but not on a glass surface. Others can distinguish between different proteins but not identify a gradient pattern. Here, we used ToF-SIMS to validate the complete surface composition, checking all the necessary

Cryopreservation is an essential part of tissue banking and effective cryopreservation methods are critical for the development of cost-effective cell therapy products. Cell sheets are an attractive subset of cell therapy types, and cryopreservation has the potential to further drive down costs of allogeneic cell sheet therapy. This is currently a challenge as adhered cell monolayers are more susceptible

There are many different types of surfaces found in nature which can increase or reduce friction, such as the well-studied frog toe or lotus leaf. However, methods for replicating these surfaces on a large scale for use in industrial applications are needed in order to take advantage of this natural friction engineering. Most replication processes rely on molding that requires an input surface size

Many natural surfaces, including the wings of cicada insects, have shown to display bactericidal properties as a result of surface topography. Moreover, the size and distribution of the surface features (on the nano- and microscale) are known to influence the efficacy of the surface at inhibiting bacterial cell growth. While these types of natural surfaces illustrate the effect of structure on the

Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs), embedded in the lipid membranes of nerve cells, mediate fast synaptic transmission and are major pharmaceutical targets. Because of their complexity and the limited knowledge of their structure, their working mechanisms have still to be fully unraveled at the molecular level. Over the past few years, evidence that the lipid membrane may modulate the function

A key hurdle toward effective application of nanoparticles (NPs) in biomedicine is still the incomplete understanding of the biomolecular adsorption layer, the so-called protein corona, which inevitably forms around NPs when they are immersed in a biofluid. NP sizing techniques via the analysis of Brownian motions offer a powerful way to measure the thickness of the protein corona in situ. Here, the

Additive manufacturing (AM) of orthopedic implants is growing in popularity as it offers almost complete design flexibility and freedom, meaning complex geometries mimicking specific body parts can be easily produced. Novel composite materials with optimized functionalities present opportunities for 3D printing osteoconductive implants with desirable mechanical properties. Standard metals for bone

This review investigates the available metallic powder bed additive manufacturing technologies with respect to their basic principles and capabilities in terms of developing orthopedic implants. Detailed descriptions of commonly used metallic alloys employed for orthopedic applications are also presented. The relationship between implant surface properties and cellular attachment and the formation

The formation of dense, linear arrays (fibrils) by biomolecules is the hallmark of a number of degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and type-2 diabetes. Protein fibrils have also attracted interest as building blocks for new materials. It has long been recognized that surfaces can affect the fibrillation process. Recent work on the model fibril forming protein human islet amyloid polypeptide

A major challenge in understanding nanoplastic toxicity (or nanoparticles in general) lies in establishing the causal relationships between its physical properties and biological impact. This difficulty can be attributed to surface alterations that follow the formation of a biological complex around the nanoplastic, as exemplified by protein coronae. The protein corona is known to be responsible for

Nanoparticles (NPs) that are exposed to blood are coated with an assortment of proteins that establish their biological identity by forming the interface between the NP and the cells and tissues of the body. The biological relevance of this protein corona is often overlooked during toxicological assessments of NPs. However, accurate interpretation of biological outcomes following exposure to NPs, including

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), a synthetic, nontoxic polymer, is widely studied for use as a biomedical hydrogel due to its structural and physicomechanical properties. Depending on the synthesis method, PVA hydrogels can exhibit a range of selected characteristics—strength, creep resistance, energy dissipation, degree of crystallinity, and porosity. While the structural integrity and behavior of the hydrogel

Plasma polymers derived from oxazoline precursors present a range of versatile properties that is fueling their use as biomaterials. However, coatings deposited from commonly used methyl and ethyl oxazoline precursors can be sensitive to the plasma deposition conditions. In this work, we used various spectroscopic methods (ellipsometry, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and time of flight secondary

There has been much recent interest in the protein “corona,” the nonspecific adsorption of proteins on the surface of nanoparticles used in biological applications. This research investigates an analogous DNA corona. We find that particles (200 nm and 1 μm) incubated with DNA form a DNA corona, with a higher concentration of DNA adsorbed on the surface of cationic nanoparticles. With protein present

Nanowires (NWs) are novel nanomaterials with applications in everything from medical implants to solar cells. With increasing number of applications, it is increasingly likely that organisms are exposed to these materials either intentionally or by accident. It is, therefore, important to study their interactions with biological systems and biomolecules. Upon exposure to biological fluids, nanostructure

A prominent feature of coronaviruses is the presence of a large glycoprotein spike protruding from a lipidic membrane. This glycoprotein spike determines the interaction of coronaviruses with the environment and the host. In this paper, we perform all atomic molecular dynamics simulations of the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 trimeric glycoprotein spike and surfaces of materials. We considered

Disruption of plasma membrane integrity is a primary mechanism of nanoparticle toxicity in cells. Mechanistic studies on nanoparticle-induced membrane damage have been commonly performed using model membranes with a focus on symmetric bilayers, overlooking the fact that the membrane has an asymmetric phospholipid composition. In this study, erythrocytes with normal and scrambled membrane asymmetry

This study aims to produce and characterize alginate bilayer membranes composed of single membranes with varying cross-linking degrees to modulate simvastatin release, with potential to be used for wound-dressing. The single-layer and bilayer membranes were characterized by weight, thickness, surface pH, equilibrium-humidity, swelling degree, solubility, infrared spectroscopy (attenuated total reflectance

Tuberculosis is the top infectious disease worldwide and the development of a vaccine and diagnostic tools to control the disease is a priority that requires a better understanding of the factors involved in the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the infectious agent. It is known that bacterial cell surface components are released, interact with immune cell receptors, and may traffic toward

Co-Cr alloys such as L605 are widely applied for the manufacture of medical devices, including tiny cardiovascular stents. The presence of potentially toxic and allergenic release of Ni, Co, and Cr ions from these devices remains an unsolved concern. Surface modification by oxygen plasma immersion implantation (PIII) could be an excellent technique to create a dense and thin passive oxide layer on

The controlled modification of surface properties represents a pervasive requirement to be fulfilled when developing new technologies. In this paper, we propose an easy-to-implement protocol for the functionalization of glass with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). The adaptivity of the synthesis route was demonstrated by the controlled anchoring of thiol, amino, glycidyloxy, and methacrylate groups

Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 is a dissimilatory metal-reducing bacterium capable of reducing various metal and sulfur compounds and precipitating them in nanoparticulate form. Here, we report the synthesis of molybdenum disulfide nanomaterials at the site of S. oneidensis biofilms grown in the presence of molybdenum trioxide and sodium thiosulfate. Samples from the growth medium were imaged using scanning

In this study, the structure, adhesion, and cell viability characteristics of silicon-incorporated diamond-like carbon (Si-DLC) coatings on fused silica substrates were investigated. The effects of argon and oxygen postprocessing plasma treatments on the Si-DLC coatings were also studied. The contact angle results showed that the Si-DLC coatings were more hydrophilic than the uncoated surfaces, and

Protein-coated polymer-based microparticles are attractive supports for cell delivery, but the interplay between microparticle properties, protein coating, and cell response is poorly understood. The interest in alternative microparticle formulations increases the need for a better understanding of how functional protein coatings form on different microparticles. In this work, microparticle formulations

The development of 2D and 3D structures on the nanoscale containing viral nanoparticles (VNPs) as interesting nanobuilding blocks has come into focus for a bottom-up approach as an alternative to the top-down approach in nanobiotechnology. Our research has focused on the plant Tomato Bushy Stunt Virus (TBSV). In a previous study, we reported the impact of the pH value on the 2D assembly of viral monolayers

Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-differentiated THP-1 cells are routinely used in lieu of primary macrophages to study macrophage polarization during host-pathogen interactions and disease progression. The phenotypes of THP-1 macrophages are influenced by the level and duration of PMA stimulation and possibly also by the presence of adhesion factors. Here, we use self-organizing maps (SOMs) of single-cell

Dermatomycosis, such as candidiasis and mycosis among others, has emerged recently as the most frequent fungal infection worldwide. This disease is due to the skin's exposure to microorganisms that are able to pass through skin barrier defects. Therefore, textiles in direct contact with skin can serve as a source of contamination and fungus spread. In the current study, a sustainable and eco-friendly

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin malignancy. In fact, it is as common as the sum of all other skin malignancies combined and the incidence is rising. In this focused and histology-guided study, tissue from a patient diagnosed with aggressive BCC was analyzed by imaging mass spectrometry in order to probe the chemistry of the complex tumor environment. Time-of-flight secondary ion

Silicone hydrogel contact lenses (CLs) permit increased oxygen permeability through their incorporation of siloxane functional groups. However, contact lens biofouling can be problematic with these materials; surface modification to increase lens compatibility is necessary for acceptable properties. This work focuses on the creation of an antifouling CL surface through a novel grafting method. A polymer

The aim of this work was to investigate the bacteria-surface interactions occurring during the first hour of adhesion of marine Pseudoalteromonas NCIMB 2021 at the surface of 2304 lean duplex stainless steel in artificial seawater. A complete characterization of the biofilm and the passive film was performed coupling epifluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray photoelectron

The most common bulk acoustic wave device used in biosensing applications is the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), in which a resonant pure shear acoustic wave is excited via electrodes on both major faces of a thin AT-cut quartz plate. For biosensing, the QCM is used to detect the capture of a target by a target-capture film. The sensitivity of the QCM is typically based solely on the detection of

In cell–material interactions, the formation and functioning of filopodia have been demonstrated to be very sensitive to topographic cues. However, substrate-exploring functions of filopodia in a 3D microenvironment remain elusive. In this study, the silk fibroin film with a micropillar structure was prepared to reveal a filopodial-mediated cell response to 3D topographic cues. The micropillars provided

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men and the second leading cause of male cancer deaths. The current blood test for detecting prostate cancers measures prostate-specific antigen. It has many limitations including a very high rate of false positives. Herein, prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) based immunocapture and hexaminolevulinate (HAL) based photodetection are integrated

Ice nucleation (IN) active bacteria such as Pseudomonas syringae promote the growth of ice crystals more effectively than any material known. Using the specialized ice nucleation protein (INP) InaZ, P. syringae—the well studied epiphytic plant pathogen—attacks plants by frost damage and, likewise fascinating, drives ice nucleation within clouds when airborne in the atmosphere by linkage to the Earth’s

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) affects the inner ear compartment and can be caused by different factors. Usually, the lack, death, or malfunction of sensory cells deputed to transduction of mechanic-into-electric signals leads to SNHL. To date, the therapeutic option for patients impaired by severe or profound SNHL is the cochlear implant (CI), a high-tech electronic device replacing the entire

The present work focuses on the application of time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) in osteoporotic bone research. In order to demonstrate the benefit, the authors present concrete application examples of ToF-SIMS in three different areas of bone research. ToF-SIMS as a mass spectrometric imaging technique allows simultaneous visualization of mineralized and nonmineralized bone

In the present work, three types of grafted brush coatings [P4VP, POEGMA246, and P(4VP-co-POEGMA246)] were successfully fabricated using graft polymerization of monomers “from the surface.” The composition, thickness, and morphology of the grafted brush coatings were analyzed by TOF-SIMS, ellipsometry, and AFM, respectively. The chemical nature of the polymer surface plays a crucial role in the growth

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are attractive as biomaterial coatings because they have broad spectrum activity against different microbes, with a low likelihood of incurring antimicrobial resistance. Direct action against the bacterial membrane is the most common mechanism of action (MOA) of AMPs, with specific MOAs dependent on membrane composition, peptide concentration, and environmental factors

Nanoparticles (NPs) are substances between 1 and 100 nm in size. They have been the subject of numerous studies because of their potential applications in a wide range of fields such as cosmetics, electronics, medicine, and food. For biological applications of nanoparticles, they are usually coated with a substance capable of preventing agglomeration of the nanoparticles and nonspecific binding and

The overall success of nanocarriers in biomedical applications depends on their interaction with different proteins in blood. Immunoglobulins as a major protein class of the blood proteome may considerably influence the identity of the nanocarriers in blood. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the specific details of the interaction mechanism between different immunoglobulins and nanocarriers

Amyloid fibrillation is known to contribute in a variety of diseases including neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease) and type II diabetes. The inhibition of fibrillation has been suggested as a possible therapeutic strategy to prevent neuronal and pancreatic β-cell death associated with amyloid diseases. To this end, strong hydrophobic and π-π interactions between

Protein adsorption to biomaterial surfaces is important for the function of such materials with anchorage-dependent cell adhesion requiring the presence of adsorbed proteins. The current study evaluated five solid surfaces with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) grafted from the surface of a poly(tetrafluoroethylene) membrane with respect to the adsorption of serum albumin (SA), lactoferrin (Lf), and lysozyme

Thin film coatings prepared from commercially available glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPS) modified silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) (Bindzil® CC301 and Bindzil® CC302) have previously shown excellent antifouling performance against a broad range of microbes [Molino et al., “Hydration layer structure of biofouling-resistant nanoparticles,” ACS Nano 12, 11610 (2018)]. In this work, single cell force

In this study, the authors evaluated the distribution of low-abundance beauty ingredients in human skin tissues. The distribution of collagen tripeptide, a beauty ingredient, in the human skin was evaluated by applying multivariate curve resolution (MCR) to the time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry mapping data, including reference information. The intensity of the secondary ion peaks was

Testing the adhesion of marine biofilm formers on bioresistant coatings is important to determine their fouling-release and antifouling properties. A dynamic attachment assay for the marine bacterium Cobetia marina (C. marina) was developed to test the adhesion on coatings and bioresistant surfaces. With well-defined culture conditions, the reproducibility of the microfluidic accumulation experiments

The stable nitroxide radical TEMPO [(2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl] has a multitude of applications in fields ranging from energy storage to biomedical applications and many more. However, to date, the processes of incorporating nitroxide radicals into thin-film coatings are laborious and not cost-effective, which hinders their wider use in many applications. In contrast, the authors have