Biological recognition at interfaces involving dendritic molecules

Dendrimers, a type of dendritic molecule, have a well-defined structure with a homogeneous molecular weight and precise multiple terminal groups. These characteristics are favorable for both research and development, which require accuracy and multivalency. This review focuses on various dendrimers as interfacial materials and reviews their biological functionality, as represented by biological recognition, based on our previous research. At the surface of a gold substrate, the immobilized dendrimer with closely packed terminals was inactive to proteins, but the immobilized dendrimer with loosely packed terminals and many signature ligands, such as saccharides, was highly active to specific proteins with multivalent interactions. Additionally, the loosely packed glycodendrimer controlled the biological functionality of proteins by strictly regulated multivalent interactions. Likewise, an amphiphilic glycodendrimer gave a dynamic biointerface by self-assembly in aqueous media and represented biological functionality similar to that on the surface of the substrate. Biointerfaces involving dendrimers have different useful characteristics from linear polymers on the surface or in solution, and promise to provide a new approach for the development of superior biomaterials and procedures to elucidate and control vital phenomena