Fig. 7.

Proposed model of the layers formed by serum proteins adsorbed onto silicon oxide and parylene-C. Fn forms a dense and thin layer on parylene-C with proteins in a compact structure that promotes cell adhesion. On the opposite, on silicon oxide, a more diffuse and thicker layer is formed suggesting that Fn adopts an extended structure that also mediates cell adhesion. Albumin forms a dense and thin layer on parylene-C with protein molecules probably deformed, whereas a globular structure is observed on silicon oxide leading to the formation of a diffuse and thicker layer. The albumin coated parylene-C prevents cell adhesion, whereas few cells can grow on the albumin coated silicon oxide. Finally, the binary mixture of Fn and albumin results in the preferential adsorption of one of the protein, deformed albumin on parylene-C and extended Fn on silicon oxide. This conclusion is supported by the significant cell adhesion process observed on silicon oxide in opposition to parylene-C.