ABSTRACT
Protein coatings are applied to a range of biomaterial surfaces. This chapter addresses the need for coating applications for skin regeneration. We illustrate the coating methods used in biomedical applications. Applications for surfaces involve processes using photochemical methods to generate hydrophilic surfaces, and addition of protein immobilization technologies is outlined. A selection of polymers commonly employed in commercially available coatings is discussed and their interaction with growth cells in the context of the application area is described.
Various strategies of surface modification have been developed over time, as the biological response to the devices is largely controlled by the surface chemistry and structure of the material. Obtaining synthetic, semisynthetic, and natural polymers has enabled the generation of devices like patches for medical applications by finding the optimal compatibility between synthetic (polyester) and natural (collagen, bovine serum albumin [BSA], gelatin) components. Such devices have been specifically studied for their application in the medical field, such as patches for dermal regeneration.
