Layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly is an easy to use method for the fabrication of multicomposite films and has kindled widespread interest in such nanohybrids. Electrostatic interactions between anionic and cationic compounds (e. g. synthetic or natural polyions such as polyelectrolytes, DNA, proteins or even colloids) offer five major advantages:

• layer-by-layer construction due to surface charge reversal in each layer

• restriction to single layers due to repulsion between last layer and excess material in each deposition cycle

• low steric demand for interaction between oppositely charged ions

• deposition on almost any solvent accessible surface

• easy access to (bio)functional multicomposite films

Since the technique allows to interface a wide variety of (bio)materials with predefined spatial arrangement, it has successfully been introduced to both materials science and applied bio-sciences. This presentation will start with simple examples of LBL-film containing e.g. proteins and extend to films in which the composition of the film controls the interaction with cells. It will finish with the construction of multilayers containing cells and with devices for biomedical use.

For more information see for example : Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Films – A General Approach to (Bio)-Functional Coatings, N. Jessel, P. Lavalle, V. Ball, J. Ogier, B. Senger, C. Picart, P. Schaaf, J.-C. Voegel and G. Decher in Macromolecular Engineering Vol. 2, “Elements of Macromolecular Structural Control” (Y. Gnanou, L. Leibler and K. Matyiaszewski, Eds.), Wiley-VCH: Weinheim, 2007, 1249-1306.