(637d) The Effect of Patterned Silicone Surfaces on Bacterial Adhesion

Bacterial adhesion and contamination of non-biological surfaces are serious problems in the implanted medical device fields. The surface-associated bacterial infections are one of the most complications for implanted devices. Bacterial adhesion is dependent on the physicochemical properties of both the bacterial cell and substrate surfaces. In this study, the adhesion of S. epidermidis on silicone surfaces with different pattern sizes and surface roughness varying from several nm to hundreds of nm was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and bacterial colony counting. A simple approach is employed to introduce pattern structure on silicone surface with sonicator. Our previous studies have shown that surface topography (roughness and configuration) influence bacterial adhesion. It is believed that the irregularities of polymeric surfaces promote bacterial adhesion and biofilm deposition. Roughening the surface of certain materials greatly increases bacterial colonization. The results of this study provides a better understanding of the effects of patterned structured on bacterial adhesion and thus lead to novel surface modification strategies to various medical implants applications.