Advances in tissue engineering will rely on the development of surfaces with the ability to initiate extracellular matrix (ECM) protein adsorption patterns which mimic in vivo adsorption. Previous work by McLeod, Pernodet, et. al. (2003) has shown that fibrillar fibronectin (Fn) protein formation can be obtained in vitro using sulfonated polystyrene (SPS) surfaces. These surfaces support a high negative surface charge density of -0.15 C/m2 resulting in substantial electrostatic interactions at the surface. These interactions are believed to be sufficiently large to polarize the Fn molecule and cause adsorption onto the surface as well as subsequent multilayer adsorption. This leads to self-assembly by fibrillation and a three-dimensional matrix of Fn. SPS surface preparation, however, is difficult to prepare and unstable in aqueous solutions. An alternative material which may have similar effects on the self-organization of Fn protein is mica, which theoretically possess a high negative surface charge density of -0.34 C/m2. In order to achieve this charge density, the surface must be activated by some means. Activation may require the removal of K+ ions that shield the negative charges on the surface. We are currently exploring what procedures may be needed to activate the mica surface and provide a high negative surface charge for subsequent Fn protein adsorption.