Using Self-Assembled Monolayers That Present Oligo(ethylene glycol) Groups to Control the Interactions of Proteins with Surfaces

This chapter reviews the use of self-assembled monolayers of alkanethiolates on gold to control the interactions of proteins and cells with man-made materials. The work is based on the ability of monolayers that present oligo(ethylene glycol) groups to resist the non-specific adsorption of protein. The chapter describes the use of functionalized monolayers for the bio- and chemo-specific adsorption of proteins. The chapter concludes with a discussion of techniques that can pattern the formation of monolayers and that can prepare tailored substrates for the control of cell attachment.