Research in the proteins - polymers - interfaces group (pi2ig) focuses on proteins and other macromolecules at biomaterials interfaces. The pi2ig group is a part of the Center for Biopolymers at Interfaces in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Utah Main research focus is on proteins-surface interactions and dynamics at interfaces and on the effects of biomaterials surface chemistry and heterogeneity on these phenomena. Biomaterials surface research is focused on nanometer-scale characterization of soft polymers thin films and surface coatings using AFM elasticity and adhesion mapping. The pi2ig group is also studying how surface-immobilized peptides derived from extracellular matrix proteins influence neuron adhesion and axonal guidance using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and microscopy.