Introduction

Biomaterials have been widely used in various healthcare applications such as implants, blood-contacting devices, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, drug delivery and biosensors. However, their performance can be suboptimal in some cases due to the unsatisfactory interactions between the biomaterials and living matters such as cells, blood flow and host tissue. Surface engineering of biomaterials aims to enhance their performance in contact with biological environment by combining the benefits of modified surface and retained bulk properties of the substrate. The engineered surface will construct a new interface to contact with biological substances that forms the biointerface (Figure 1A). Surface engineering in terms of surface treatments on original surface and surface coating of additional layer can achieve alteration on surface composition, topography and chemistry (Figure 1B). By deliberate selection and employment of surface engineering techniques, specific objectives can be achieved as required.