Designer Biointerfaces: Bridging the Gap Between Man-Made Materials and Biological Systems

Our improved understanding of molecular biology, microfabrication, and materials chemistry has stimulated cross-fertilization of two fields that had little overlap even a few decades ago: biology and materials engineering. In my presentation, I will discuss current advances in the design of multifunctional materials and biointerfaces including three distinct examples under research in the Lahann group: (i) The development of novel synthesis concepts for functional polymers. (ii) Biphasic particles that exhibit a wide range of sizes, shapes and compartmentalization have been prepared using electrified co-jetting. The individual phases can be independently loaded with different biomolecules or selectively surface-modified. Appropriate design of compartment materials and particle loadings can render biphasic particles to be stimulus-responsive. (iii) Reactive coatings with one or multiple advanced functions can be synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) polymerization as well as CVD co-polymerization.