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.