Biofouling occurs when artificial surfaces are immersed underwater, leading to the build- up of organic matter. Biofouling begins with the submersion of a clean surface, whereby micro-organisms will colonise and form highly intricate and dynamic microbial communities (i.e., bacteria, diatoms, barnacles and mussels), enveloped in a matrix of extrapolymeric substances (EPS). Currently, the application of biocidal coatings for biofilm prevention has been used, many of which are toxic to the aquatic environment. Surfaces that are capable of controlling cellular behaviour under natural conditions are challenging to design due to the diversity of attaching cell types in environments such as marine waters, where many variations in cell shape, size and adhesion strategy exist 16. Nature has had billions of years of evolution to solve the fouling problem, for which scientists can use to gain insight into what common features exist on naturally non-fouling species, and then replicate or modify these features to produce natural antifouling (AF) mechanisms for commercial use. This thesis examines the influence of surface chemistry and surface topography on biofilm formation, looking at non-toxic strategies for antifouling technology in the marine environment. Many marine organisms have evolved to present physical, behavioral and chemical mechanisms that exhibit antifouling properties. In that respect, the mechanisms used by marine organisms to prevent fouling on external surfaces are of huge interest to researchers of antifouling technology. The natural surface of the Brill fish scale, has been characterized to determine its antifouling properties. An artificial surface, inspired by Brill has been reproduced using the latest microfabrication techniques and tested in the laboratory under controlled conditions. The results indicate that topography can have an influence on cell behaviour using two model organisms, Amphora coffeaeformis and Nitzschia ovalis. This work outlines a strategy for the future design of non-toxic antifouling materials.