Protein and bacterial interactions with nanostructured polymer coatings

Abstract Adsorption of proteins and adhesion of bacteria to a surface is affected by chemical and physical interactions. In this study, polymer coatings and their ability to adsorb avidin and Staphylococcus aureus were investigated. The surface chemistry and topography of the polymer coatings was modified by changing the weight ratio of the hydrophobic polystyrene (PS) and the hydrophilic acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) components in the polymer blend. Avidin adsorbed less to the \{ABS\} phase compared with the \{PS\} phase. The side-on orientation of avidin on the \{ABS\} surface, however, resulted in a higher specific binding of biotinylated bovine serum albumin. Steric effects and hydrophobic protein-surface interactions decreased the activity of avidin on the \{PS\} phase. The increased hydrophobicity and roughness of the polymer coatings enhanced the adhesion of S. aureus. The avidin-coated latex surface with 55% relative surface coverage of the \{PS\} phase showed anti-microbial behavior.