ABSTRACT

The general principles that have been deduced from experimental observations of protein adsorption are covered in several major review articles [1-3]. Our focus here is more specific, namely, on the development of a quantitative understanding of the mechanistic bases driving proteins to accumulate at solid-liquid interfaces and on the ability to predict extent of adsorption from physicochemical properties of the protein, aqueous solvent, and sorbent. Such a capability would allow rational approaches to be developed toward the solution of problems involving protein adsorption. For example, a detailed understanding of how the properties of protein and surface are manifested in their adsorption behavior would aid in the design or selection of materials that selectively adsorb proteins onto micropatterned surfaces for tissue engineering and biosensor applications. For protein chromatography, a quantitative understanding of the extent of adsorption as a function of protein and adsorbent properties and solvent strength would improve the process of selecting adsorbents and conditions most amenable to particular protein separations.