Solid surfaces are modified using photo-crosslinkable copolymers based on oligo (ethylene glycol) methacrylate (OEGMA) bearing 2-(4-benzoylphenoxy) ethyl methacrylate (BPEM) as a photosensitive crosslinking unit. Thin films of about 100 nm are formed by spin-coating these a priori highly biocompatible copolymers onto silicon substrates. Subsequent UV- irradiation assures immobilization and crosslinking of the hydrogel films. Their stability is ...