Antifouling surfaces with spatially alternating interfacial properties

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The proposed project aims at generating a comprehensive understanding of bio-adhesion processes at surfaces with spatially alternating physico-chemical interfacial properties: that is, with periodic structures or alternating surface free energies or alternating elasticities, covering lateral dimensions from the micro- to the nano-scale. Respective substrates will be fabricated in two ways: I. polymer moldings of master structures with and without backfilled cavities by a second polymer phase (= flat and structured, respectively), and II. polished polymer matrices embedded with functionalized silica particles (= flat). The bio-adhesive properties of the substrates, i.e. biomolecule adsorption and bacterial surface colonization, will first be tested using high throughput in vitro assays. Surfaces with low bio-adhesion will subsequently be tested in situ within the human oral cavity to clarify their applicability under realistic and clinically relevant fouling conditions. It is expected that the periodicity of the alternating physico-chemical interfacial properties strongly affects both the kinetics and the strength of bio-adhesion processes: Microscale periodicity might affect bacterial surface colonization directly whereas submicro- to nano-scale dimensions might influence bacterial surface colonization indirectly through the altered adsorption of biomolecules, such as proteins. Furthermore, it is expected that substrates with alternating surface free energies and elasticities will reveal similar trends to structured substrates. Based on the findings, we intend to project a roadmap for the fabrication of tailor-made anti-bioadhesive surfaces, such as coatings for dental restorative materials and implants.