Effects of ionic strength and surface charge on protein adsorption at PEGylated surfaces

The study aims at an improved understanding of the mechanisms of protein resistance of poly ethylene glycol (PEG) layers, using the combcraft-copolymer poly(L-Iysine)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLL-g-PEG), and concerns the effects of systematic variations in the surface properties, in particular PEG chain length and density, and surface charge. The combination of atomic force microscopy surface force measurements and protein adsorption experiment provides insights into the interfacial forces associated with various PEGylated surfaces and the mechanisms of protein resistance.