Biomedical applications of layer-by-layer self assembly

Layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly is the most widely used strategy for the production of functional surfaces with tailored structures and properties such as chemical, biological, optical and electrical. This strategy involves alternately coating the planar or colloidal surfaces with complementary compounds such as oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, inorganic molecules, metal oxides, silica colloids, dyes, clays, nanostructures or biologically active species like enzymes, DNA, viruses, or proteins. The assembly process is driven by noncovalent interactions under mild conditions. LbL is independent of the substrate shape, size or type; environmentally-friendly; high loading capacity of different types of biomolecules into films; allows room temperature processing and low-cost manufacturing. These outstanding advantages of LbL self-assembly make it especially attractive in the biomedical applications. LbL approaches open new horizon for design biocompatible, antimicrobial, hydrophobic, hydrophilic, electrically conductive, chemically stable, hydrolyzable, adhesive, non-adhesive, anti-thrombotic, semipermeable, stimuli-sensitive surfaces and for loading bioactive molecules to design tissue scaffolds, cardiovascular devices, implants, wound healing dressing, bone grafts, biosensors, drug delivery, and release systems.