ABSTRACT
Protein adsorption is a widespread event occurring at biological interfaces. Wherever and whenever a protein-containing (aqueous) solution is exposed to a (solid) surface, it results in the spontaneous accumulation of protein molecules at the solid-water interface, thereby altering the characteristics of the sorbent surface and, in most cases, also of the protein molecules. It is, therefore, not surprising that the interaction between proteins and surfaces has attracted attention from various disciplines, ranging from soil and food science to biotechnology and (biomedical) materials science. Apart from its impact in these practical domains, the interaction between proteins and interfaces is of academic interest. When a protein molecule adsorbs from solution at an interface it changes its environment, which, more often than not, is accompanied by structural rearrangements. Hence, studying the interaction between proteins and interfaces may contribute to the understanding of the mechanism that determines the three-dimensional (3-D) structure of protein molecules.
