Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Surface Membrane Barriers

Surface Membrane Barriers

The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

High-Velocity Impact of Polymer Aerosol Particles on Soft Substrates: Experiments and Simulations.

Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids·2025

Same author

High-Precision 3D Doping of Fused Silica Glass Derived from Nanocomposites.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)·2025

Same author

Bioactive Glass Microscaffolds Fabricated by Two-Photon Lithography.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)·2025

Same author

Reversibly Charge-Switching Polyzwitterionic/Polycationic Coatings for Biomedical Applications: Optimizing the Molecular Structure for Improved Stability.

Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids·2025

Same author

High-Resolution Structuring of Silica-Based Nanocomposites for the Fabrication of Transparent Multicomponent Glasses with Adjustable Properties.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)·2024

Same author

Sub-Micron Replication of Fused Silica Glass and Amorphous Metals for Tool-Based Manufacturing.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2024

Same journal

Functionalization Enhanced Phase Separation in PS-b-PVP Derived Polyzwitterionic Block Copolymers.

Macromolecular rapid communications·2026

Same journal

Molecular Design of Biobased, Printable Monomers for Two-Photon Polymerization.

Macromolecular rapid communications·2026

Same journal

Single-Chain Inherent Elasticity Reveals γ-Irradiation-Induced Backbone Reconstruction in Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride).

Macromolecular rapid communications·2026

Same journal

Exploring 2-D σ-σ* Conjugation in Cyclic Polysiloxane Copolymers.

Macromolecular rapid communications·2026

Same journal

Biocompatible Sulfobetaine Polymer-Artemisinin Conjugates Inducing Ferroptosis in Cancer Cells: Synthesis by Mechanochemical Solid-State Polymerization and Characterization.

Macromolecular rapid communications·2026

Same journal

Soft-Segment-Tuned Dynamic Polyurethanes With Low Compression Set and Recyclability.

Macromolecular rapid communications·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 4, 2025

High-throughput Identification of Bacteria Repellent Polymers for Medical Devices

High-throughput Identification of Bacteria Repellent Polymers for Medical Devices

Published on: November 5, 2016

Stimulus-Responsive Polyelectrolyte Surfaces: Switching Surface Properties from Polycationic/Antimicrobial to

Stefan Paschke^1,2, Richard Prediger^1,2, Valentine Lavaux^1,2

¹Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 103, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.

Macromolecular Rapid Communications

|May 24, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study presents a pH-responsive polyzwitterion surface that repels protein at neutral pH but becomes adhesive and antimicrobial at lower pH. This reversible switching offers tunable surface properties for biomedical applications.

Keywords:

antimicrobial polymers polyelectrolytes polyzwitterions protein-repellent polymers stimulus-responsive polymers

More Related Videos

Fabricating Reactive Surfaces with Brush-like and Crosslinked Films of Azlactone-Functionalized Block Co-Polymers

Fabricating Reactive Surfaces with Brush-like and Crosslinked Films of Azlactone-Functionalized Block Co-Polymers

Published on: June 30, 2018

Fabricating Superhydrophobic Polymeric Materials for Biomedical Applications

Fabricating Superhydrophobic Polymeric Materials for Biomedical Applications

Published on: August 28, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 4, 2025

High-throughput Identification of Bacteria Repellent Polymers for Medical Devices

High-throughput Identification of Bacteria Repellent Polymers for Medical Devices

Published on: November 5, 2016

Fabricating Reactive Surfaces with Brush-like and Crosslinked Films of Azlactone-Functionalized Block Co-Polymers

Fabricating Reactive Surfaces with Brush-like and Crosslinked Films of Azlactone-Functionalized Block Co-Polymers

Published on: June 30, 2018

Fabricating Superhydrophobic Polymeric Materials for Biomedical Applications

Fabricating Superhydrophobic Polymeric Materials for Biomedical Applications

Published on: August 28, 2015

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Biomaterials Engineering
Surface Chemistry

Background:

Polyzwitterions are known for protein resistance.
Surface modification is key for advanced biomaterials.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a pH-responsive polyzwitterion surface.
To investigate its tunable protein adsorption and antimicrobial properties.

Main Methods:

Surface attachment of hydrophobically modified poly(carboxybetaine).
Zeta potential measurements for pH-dependent state determination.
Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy for protein adsorption studies.
Antimicrobial activity assays.

Main Results:

The polyzwitterion exhibits pH-dependent switching between protein-repellent and protein-adhesive states.
Protein adhesion is reversible, with release at pH 7.4.
Antimicrobial activity is observed at physiological pH.
The material demonstrates storage stability but hydrolyzes in aqueous media over time.

Conclusions:

A novel pH-responsive polyzwitterion surface with tunable properties was developed.
This material offers potential for applications requiring controlled protein interaction and antimicrobial activity.
Further research into long-term stability in aqueous environments is warranted.