Polydopamine at biological interfaces

In the last years coating of surfaces in the presence of dopamine or other catecholamines in oxidative conditions to yield polydopamine films has become a popular, easy and versatile coating methodology. Polydopamine(s) offer(s) also a rich chemistry allowing to post-functionalize the obtained coatings with metal nanoparticles with polymers and proteins. However, the interactions either of covalent or non-covalent nature between polydopamine and biomolecules has only been explored more recently. They allow polydopamine to become a material, in the form of nanoparticles, membranes and other assemblies, in its own right not just as a coating. It is the aim of this review to describe the most recent advances in the design of composites between polydopamine and related eumelanin like materials with biomolecules like proteins, nucleotides, oligosaccharides and lipid assemblies. Furthermore, the interactions between polydopamine and living cells will be also reported.

Automated summary

In recent years, the coating of surfaces with dopamine or other catecholamines in oxidative conditions to produce polydopamine films has become a popular method. Polydopamine not only serves as a coating, but also has a rich chemistry that allows interactions with biomolecules through either covalent or non-covalent bonds, forming particles, membranes, and other assemblies. This review describes the latest advances in the design of composites between polydopamine and related eumelanin-like materials with biomolecules such as proteins, nucleotides, oligosaccharides, and lipid assemblies, as well as the interactions between polydopamine and living cells.