Surface-Immobilized Biomolecules

Biomolecules such as proteins, peptides and DNA are commonly immobilized onto supports for a wide range of applications. One prominent application discussed in this chapter is the immobilization of cell receptor ligands onto polymeric scaffolds, which allows for the study of how a cell’s environment affects its function and behavior. Regardless of application, biomolecules can be immobilized either physically or covalently. Physical immobilization results from adsorption or entrapment of the biomolecule, while covalent immobilization requires a chemical reaction to tether the biomolecule to a support. Researchers have used both physical and covalent immobilization to develop methods that allow for the precise control of an immobilized biomolecules’ patterning, density, orientation, and accessibility. These immobilization methods and relevant applications will be reviewed in this chapter.