Nanoscale adhesion, friction and wear of proteins on polystyrene

Protein layers are routinely deployed on biomaterials and biological micro/nanoelectromechanical systems (bioMEMS/NEMS) as a functional layer allowing for specific molecular recognition, binding properties or to facilitate biocompatibility. In addition, uncoated biomaterial surfaces will have uncontrolled protein layers adsorbing to the surface within seconds of implantation, so a pre-defined protein layer will improve the host response. Implanted biomaterials also experience micromotion over time which may degrade any surface protein layers. Degradation of these protein layers may lead to system failure or an unwanted immune response. Therefore, it is important to characterize the interfacial properties of proteins on biomaterial surfaces. In this study, the nanoscale adhesion, friction and wear properties of proteins adsorbed to a spin coated polystyrene surface were measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in deionized (DI) water and phosphate buffered saline. Adhesion, friction and wear have been measured for bovine serum albumin (BSA), collagen, fibronectin and streptavidin (STA) in DI water and PBS as a function of protein concentration. These proteins were chosen due to their importance and widespread application in the biotechnology field. Adhesion and friction were also measured for BSA and STA at two different temperatures and different pH values to simulate a biological environment. Based on this study, adhesion, friction and wear mechanisms of the different proteins are discussed.