Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	EP/C004558/1
Title:	Making Surfaces that Respond to Enzymes
Principal Investigator:	Ulijn, Professor R
Other Investigators:	Alexander, Professor MR
Researcher Co-Investigators:	Dr FJM Rutten
Project Partners:
Department:	Materials
Organisation:	University of Manchester, The
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	12 May 2005	Ends:	11 May 2008	Value (£):	62,309
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Materials Characterisation Materials Processing Surfaces & Interfaces
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
Most material surfaces are passive or non-responsive: their physical properties remain largely unchanged within short time frames. There is increased interest in the development of material surfaces that are active or responsive, which can change (or 'switch') properties upon a stimulus. They have implications in the dynamic regulation of material properties, such as surface chemistry, adhesion, friction, or biocompatibility (i.e. how implanted materials affect the human body). Stimuli that have been used to trigger surface modifications include light, pH, chemical concentration and magnetic or electric fields. Future applications of these 'switching' surfaces are anticipated in biological settings. Examples may include the controlled attachment of biomolecules or cells and in devices that release compounds upon an applied stimulus for drug delivery. However, existing surface switching systems are often harsh and modify the environment around the surface, whereas most biological interactions can only withstand narrow environmental changes. In biological systems, special molecules called enzymes trigger the modification of surfaces. In this project we will investigate whether we can make synthetic surfaces that can be triggered by enzymes. In this way we hope to make surfaces with properties that can be switched under conditions that are truly compatible with biological systems.
Key Findings
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Organisation Website:	http://www.man.ac.uk