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Exposure of protein modified surfaces to air may be necessary in several applications. For example, air contact may be inevitable during the implantation of biomedical devices, for analysis of protein modified surfaces, or for sensor applications. Protein coatings are very sensitive to dehydration and can undergo significant and irreversible alterations of their conformations upon exposure to air. With the use of two compatible solutes from extremophilic bacteria, ectoine and hydroxyectoine, the authors were able to preserve the activity of dried protein monolayers for up to> 24 h. The protective effect can be explained by the preferred exclusion model; ie, the solutes trap a thin water layer around the protein, retaining an aqueous environment and preventing unfolding of the protein. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) immobilized on compact TiO 2 was used as a model system. Structural differences between the compatible …