Macroscopic kinetics of DMAEMA and HEMA plasma polymerization have been investigated. Different regimes in the kinetics of growth have been identified and the resulting plasma polymer surfaces have been characterized by Infrared and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopies as well as by wettability analysis. Various hydrogel properties have been obtained leading to different surface mechanical properties. The values of Young's modulus estimated by AFM nanoindentation were found to be systematically high in the case of DMAEMA plasma polymerization (4–6 MPa). However, in the case of HEMA plasma polymerization, the Young's modulus values could be tune to 1 MPa up to 4.5 MPa. This result was even more remarkable as chemical composition of the corresponding surfaces was quasi‐identical.

Biomedical implants are an important part of evolving modern medicine but have a potential drawback in form of post-operative pathogenic infection. Accordingly, the "race for surface" combat between invasive bacteria and host cells determines the fate of implants. Hence, proper in vitro systems are required to assess effective strategies to avoid infection. In this study we developed a real time observation model, mimicking post-operative contamination, designed to follow E. coli proliferation on titanium surface occupied by human osteoblastic progenitor cells (STRO). This model allowed us to monitor E. coli invasion of human cells and titanium surface coated and uncoated with fibronectin. We showed that the surface colonization of bacteria is significantly enhanced on fibronectin coated surfaces irrespective of if areas were uncovered or covered with human cells. We further revealed that bacterial colonization of the titanium surfaces is enhanced in co-culture with STRO cells. Finally, this co-culture system provides a comprehensive system to describe in vitro and in situ bacterial and human cells and their localization but also to target biological mechanisms involved in adhesion as well as in interactions with surfaces, thanks to fluorescent labelling. This system is thus an efficient method for studies related to design and function of new biomaterials.