Enzyme-mimicking polymer brush-functionalized surface for combating biomaterial-associated infections

•DNase-mimicking polymer brushes were constructed to mimic the DNA-cleavage activity of the natural DNase.•CeIV complexes in the side chains of the polymer brushes serve as efficient catalytic centers for DNA-cleavage activity.•The bacteria repellent efficacy of DNase-mimicking polymer brushes was comparable to that of DNase.•DNase-mimicking polymer brush-functionalized surface presents a promising approach to combat bacterial infections.