Polyacrylamide brush coatings preventing microbial adhesion to silicone rubber.
Silicone rubber is a frequently used biomaterial in biomedical devices and implants, yet highly prone to microbial adhesion and the development of a biomaterial-centered infection. Effective coating of silicone rubber to discourage microbial adhesion has thus far been impossible due to the hydrophobic character of its surface, surface deterioration upon treatment and instability of coatings under physiological conditions. Here we present a method to successfully grow polyacrylamide (PAAm) brushes from silicone rubber surfaces after removal of low molecular weight organic molecules (LMWOM), such as silane oligomers. PAAm brush coating did not cause any surface deterioration and discouraged microbial adhesion, even after 1-month exposure to physiological fluids. The method presented opens many new avenues for the use of silicone rubber as a biomaterial, without the risk of developing a biomaterial-centered infection.
Fundeanu
Irina
I
Department of Polymer Chemistry, Zernike Institute of Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
van der Mei
Henny C
HC
Schouten
Arend J
AJ
Busscher
Henk J
HJ
D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry; D004355:Drug Stability; D005260:Female; D005612:Freeze Drying; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D012826:Silicone Elastomers / Q000737:chemistry*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D000099166:Polyacrylamides
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D000099166:Polyacrylamides