Pacific Rim Symposium on Surfaces, Coatings and Interfaces (PacSurf 2018)
    Biomaterial Surfaces & Interfaces Tuesday Sessions
       Session BI-TuE

Invited Paper BI-TuE1
History of Biomaterials and the Founding of NESAC/BIO

Tuesday, December 4, 2018, 5:40 pm, Room Naupaka Salon 6-7

Session: 35 Years of NESAC/BIO II
Presenter: Buddy D. Ratner, University of Washington
Correspondent: Click to Email
The history of biomaterials and the founding of NESAC/BIO is a big order for one abstract. The history of biomaterials can trace application back to the Neolithic period. But, more relevant to AVS, let’s look at the early history relevant to considerations of the surfaces of biomaterials. Early pioneers in biosurface/biointerface studies include Agnes Pockels, Irving Langmuir, Katharine Blodgett, Henry Bull (proteins at interfaces), Leo Vroman, Robert Baier, Joe Andrade and Allan Hoffman. We also have pioneers in technique and instrumentation including William Zisman (contact angles), Kai Seigbahn, Alfred Benninghoven, Gabor Somorjai, Dave Clark, Ron Thomas, Michael Kelly, Chuck Bryson, Leroy Scharpen, Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer. In the late 1970’s I became aware of the power of some of the newer methods for surface characterization for studying biomaterials, particularly electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). Inspired by the pioneers who were demonstrating the importance of surfaces for biology and powered by ESCA and a collaboration with Kelly and Scharpen of HP Corporation, I performed early studies that almost immediately began offering important insights into the biointerface. I came to realize that all biomaterials scientists should embrace biosurface studies, but most did not have access to the instrumentation and training in the use of the instrumentation. I learned about NIH National Resource Centers as a mechanism to provide services to the community and to advance my own studies. I applied to the NIH for such a center. After a failed application, on my second try, we were funded. That led to the formation of the National ESCA and Surface Analysis Center for Biomedical Problems (NESAC/BIO). Bringing on board Dave Castner and later Lara Gamble strengthened the intellectual and instrumental base of NESAC/BIO. Thirty five years later, it is with great pleasure and pride to look back on NESAC/BIO’s successes and service to the biointerface community.