In this study, we propose a substrate-independent biomimetic modification route for the creation of antifouling polymer brushes. This modification route consists of the formation/deposition of a biomimetic polydopamine anchor layer followed by a well-controlled surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization of antifouling polymer brushes initiated by 2-bromo-2-methylpropanoyl groups covalently attached to the hydroxyl and amine groups present in the anchor layer. In this way, we synthesized polymer brushes of methoxy- and hydroxy-capped oligoethylene glycol methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and carboxybetaine acrylamide. Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) indicated well-controlled polymerization kinetics of the brushes, thus the thickness of the ultra-thin films could be precisely tuned at a nanometer scale. The covalent structure and organization of the brushes grown from the polydopamine anchor layer were accessed by infrared reflection-adsorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) while the change in hydrophilicity caused by the presence of the brush was determined by dynamic water contact angle measurements. Surface plasmon resonance as well as ex situ IRRAS and SE measurements were applied to investigate the adsorption of model protein solutions and undiluted human blood plasma to the brushes. The biomimetic brushes completely suppressed the fouling from single protein solutions and reduced the fouling from plasma to less than 3% from the fouling measured on bare gold surfaces. The proposed modification procedure is non-destructive and does not require any chemical pre-activation or the presence of reactive groups on the substrate surface. Contrary to other antifouling modifications the coating can be performed on various classes of substrates and preserves its properties even in undiluted blood plasma. This work offers a promising technology for the facile fabrication of different surface-based biotechnological and biomedical devices able to perform tailor-made functions while resisting the fouling from the complex biological media where they operate.

The architecture and mechanical properties of a scaffold for spinal cord injury treatment must provide tissue integration as well as effective axonal regeneration. Previous work has demonstrated the cell‐adhesive and growth‐promoting properties of the SIKVAV (Ser–Ile–Lys–Val–Ala–Val)‐modified highly superporous poly(2‐hydroxethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) hydrogels. The aim of the current study was to optimize the porosity and mechanical properties of this type of hydrogel in order to develop a suitable scaffold for the repair of spinal cord tissue. Three types of highly superporous PHEMA hydrogels with oriented pores of ~60 µm diameter, porosities of 57–68% and equivalent stiffness characterized by elasticity moduli in the range 3–45 kPa were implanted into a spinal cord hemisection, and their integration into the host tissue, as well as the extent of axonal ingrowth into the scaffold pores, were histologically evaluated. The best tissue response was found with a SIKVAV‐modified PHEMA hydrogel with 68% porosity and a moderate modulus of elasticity (27 kPa in the direction along the pores and 3.6 kPa in the perpendicular direction). When implanted into a spinal cord transection, the hydrogel promoted tissue bridging as well as aligned axonal ingrowth. In conclusion, a prospective oriented scaffold architecture of SIKVAV‐modified PHEMA hydrogels has been developed for spinal cord injury repair; however, to develop an effective treatment for spinal cord injury, multiple therapeutic approaches are needed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.