Highly branched and spatially restrictive polymeric materials were utilized to deposit conformal coatings on pancreatic islets or other surfaces via the layer-by-layer film deposition technique. The Staudinger ligation was utilized for covalent crosslinking. Electrostatic assembly of coatings was also studied. Deposition of such ultra-thin coatings on pancreatic islets was achieved with adequate cell viability and functionality. The use of highly branched structures helped to deposit such coatings via the Staudinger ligation.

Gattás-Asfura, K. M.; Stabler, C. L. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2013, 5, 9964-9974