Using an electrical potential to reversibly switch surfaces between two states for dynamically controlling cell adhesion.

Smart surfaces presenting both antifouling molecules with a charged functional group at their distal end, and molecules that are terminated by RGD peptides for cell adhesion, were fabricated and characterized (see picture). By applying potentials of +300 or -300 mV, the surfaces could be dynamically switched to make the peptide accessible or inaccessible to cells.