Researchers in the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering have developed a non-toxic coating that can prevent proteins from sticking to surfaces, potentially offering a new tool in the fight against hospital-acquired infections. For the study, a team led by Kevin Golovin, an assistant professor in the department of mechanical and industrial engineering, examined whether a “molecular brush” coating of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) – a type of silicone polymer – could prevent proteins from adhering to surfaces.