surfaceadherent

Surfaceadherent describes cells, particles, or organisms that are attached to a solid surface. In biology and materials science, surfaceadherence refers to the state in which a subject remains bound to a substrate, as opposed to remaining in suspension. The term is often used to describe cultured cells or biofilms anchored to a surface.

Biological adhesion mechanisms: In eukaryotic cells, surfaceadherence to culture surfaces is mediated by adhesion receptors such as integrins that bind extracellular matrix proteins coated on the substrate; non-specific interactions, including van der Waals forces, electrostatic attraction, and hydrophobic effects, also contribute. Bacteria and other microorganisms achieve surfaceadherence through adhesins, pili, fimbriae, and extracellular polymeric substances leading to biofilm formation.

Factors and measurement: Surface chemistry (charge, hydrophobicity), roughness, and the presence of conditioning films influence surfaceadherence properties. Experimental methods to quantify surfaceadherence include cell adhesion assays, imaging of adherent fractions, quartz crystal microbalance, and atomic force microscopy force measurements.

Applications: Surfaceadherence is central to tissue culture and regenerative medicine where adherent cells form monolayers and tissues on defined substrates. In implants and devices, surfaceadherence affects performance and infection risk; coatings and surface modifications aim to promote or inhibit adherence as needed. In sensors and filtration, controlled adherence enables selective capture of target molecules or cells.

Further reading: Understanding surfaceadherent informs strategies for controlling cell behavior, preventing device-associated infections, and engineering interfaces between living tissues and synthetic materials. Note that the term may also be written as surface-adherent or adherent, depending on style guides.