Polyelectrolyte multilayers for bio-applications: recent advancements

Abstract

The synergistic relationship between structure and the bulk properties of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) films has generated tremendous interest in their application for loading and release of bioactive species. Layer-by-layer assembly is the simplest, cost effective process for fabrication of such PEMs films, leading to one of the most widely accepted platforms for incorporating biological molecules with nanometre precision. The bulk reservoir properties of PEM films render them a potential candidate for applications such as biosensing, drug delivery and tissue engineering. Various biomolecules such as proteins, DNA, RNA or other desired molecules can be incorporated into the PEM stack via electrostatic interactions and various other secondary interactions such as hydrophobic interactions. The location and availability of the biological molecules within the PEM stack mediates its applicability in various fields of biomedical engineering such as programmed drug delivery. The development of advanced technologies for biomedical applications using PEM films has seen rapid progress recently. This review briefly summarises the recent successes of PEM being utilised for diverse bio-applications.

Fig. 1

Schematic depicting of LbL process for deposition of PEM films

Fig. 2

Schematic depicting the wide applicability of PEM for various bio‐applications

Fig. 3

Mechanisms resulting PEM‐layer responsiveness and considered for biomolecule‐release as mentioned in [22]

Fig. 4

Schematic representation of PEM patterning on the cytophobic biomaterial's surface to make it cytophilic

Fig. 5

List of factors which are considered for desired cell–PEM interaction [49]

Fig. 6

Basic statistics of total number of publications with title topic ‘PEM films’ and publications with ‘PEM films + biomedical applications’ based on Pubmed data dated 2 June 2017