Chapter 1
Reactive Platforms for Controllable
Fabrication of Functional (Bio)Interfaces
The aim of the fabrication of functional (bio)interfaces is to investigate interfacial
reactions in confinement on stimuli-responsive homopolymer and diblock copolymer
films, the immobilization of (bio)molecules, and the fabrication of biomolecular
patterns by reactive microcontact printing on these reactive polymer films. Taking
advantage of the microphase separation of diblock copolymer films, the fabrication
of nanopatterns was investigated, which could contribute to the future development
of a model system that enables one to area-selectively deposit (write) and address
(read out) (bio)molecules. In this chapter, the scope of surface modification for
(bio)reactive platforms and functional (bio)interfaces, chemical and topographical
pattern fabrication are introduced in detail.
1.1 Scope of Surface Modification for (Bio)Reactive
Platforms and Functional (Bio)Interfaces
The objectives of biointerface research include investigations of properties of, and
processes at, interfaces between synthetic materials on the one hand, and biological species and environments on the other hand. The discipline also includes the
design and fabrication of biofunctional surfaces [1]. Well-designed functional biointerfaces play an important role in biosensors and biochips for diagnostics, in medical
implants in the human body, in tissue engineering, and also in bioelectronics and
in biomimetic materials [2]. For example, through investigating cell movement and
spreading on tailored surfaces (biointerfaces), new insights into cell biology may be
obtained [3] and new incentives for controlled drug delivery and also applications
in the field of tissue engineering can be provided [4]. The search for methods and
formats (platforms) for the sensitive detection of biomolecular interactions, such as
hybridization reactions between a biosurface-attached single-stranded catcher probe
oligonucleotide and a complementary oligo- or polynucleotide strand from solution,
© Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press 2021
C. Feng et al., Microfabrication of Stimuli-Responsive Polymers,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6869-9_1
1
Reactive Platforms for Controllable
Fabrication of Functional (Bio)Interfaces
The aim of the fabrication of functional (bio)interfaces is to investigate interfacial
reactions in confinement on stimuli-responsive homopolymer and diblock copolymer
films, the immobilization of (bio)molecules, and the fabrication of biomolecular
patterns by reactive microcontact printing on these reactive polymer films. Taking
advantage of the microphase separation of diblock copolymer films, the fabrication
of nanopatterns was investigated, which could contribute to the future development
of a model system that enables one to area-selectively deposit (write) and address
(read out) (bio)molecules. In this chapter, the scope of surface modification for
(bio)reactive platforms and functional (bio)interfaces, chemical and topographical
pattern fabrication are introduced in detail.
1.1 Scope of Surface Modification for (Bio)Reactive
Platforms and Functional (Bio)Interfaces
The objectives of biointerface research include investigations of properties of, and
processes at, interfaces between synthetic materials on the one hand, and biological species and environments on the other hand. The discipline also includes the
design and fabrication of biofunctional surfaces [1]. Well-designed functional biointerfaces play an important role in biosensors and biochips for diagnostics, in medical
implants in the human body, in tissue engineering, and also in bioelectronics and
in biomimetic materials [2]. For example, through investigating cell movement and
spreading on tailored surfaces (biointerfaces), new insights into cell biology may be
obtained [3] and new incentives for controlled drug delivery and also applications
in the field of tissue engineering can be provided [4]. The search for methods and
formats (platforms) for the sensitive detection of biomolecular interactions, such as
hybridization reactions between a biosurface-attached single-stranded catcher probe
oligonucleotide and a complementary oligo- or polynucleotide strand from solution,
© Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press 2021
C. Feng et al., Microfabrication of Stimuli-Responsive Polymers,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6869-9_1
1