The Basis of Poly (ethylene glycol) Interactions with Biomolecules

聚乙二醇链经常被接枝到生物材料上，使其在医疗应用中更具生物相容性。生物相容性的改善被认为是由于减少了与细胞、组织等表面蛋白的相互作用。然而，在没有解释的情况下，有时观察到相互作用的增加。这项建议的主要目的是确定蛋白质与这些亲水性聚合物链相互作用的化学/物理基础。假设聚合物链的溶剂化和构型状态是聚乙二醇膜生物活性的关键决定因素。聚合物厚度、分子量、接枝密度和溶剂相互作用等变量将与蛋白质相互作用的程度有关，这是通过直接表面力测量确定的。将尝试解释与普遍接受的规则的偏差，特别是表面经历从生物相容到不相容的力的转变。

Poly-(ethylene glycol) chains are frequently grafted to biomaterials to make them more biocompatible for medical applications. The improved biocompatibility is thought to result from reduced interactions with the surface proteins of cells, tissues, etc. However, without explanation, increased interactions are sometimes observed. The primary aim of this proposal is to determine the chemical/physical basis of the protein interactions with these hydrophilic polymer chains. The hypothesis is that the polymer chain solvation and configuration states are key determinants of the biological activity of the polyglycol coatings. Variables such as polymer thickness, molecular weight, grafting density, and solvent interactions will be coorelated with the extent of protein interactioins as determined by direct surface force measurements. Attempts will be made to explain deviations from commonly accepted rules and, in particular, where surfaces undergo transitions from biocompatible to non-compatible forces.