Protein adsorption often results in significant conformational changes, which refers to changes in the secondary, tertiary, and quartary structures of proteins.  In addition to adsorption rates and amounts, orientation and conformation are of critical importance.  These conformational changes can affect protein interaction with ligands, substrates, and antigens which are dependent on the orientation of the binding site of interest.  These conformational changes, as a result of protein adsorption, can also denature the protein and change its native properties.