The present invention provides a multifunctional coating having antimicrobial activity and the capability to regulate cell adhesion, comprising, deposited on a substrate surface,i) an optional anchoring layer,ii) a Zn-release layer deposited on the anchoring layer or directly on the substrate surface andiii) a functional barrier layer deposited on the Zn-release layer, wherein the functional barrier layer is capable to slow down the diffusion of Zn from the Zn-release layer through the barrier layer and wherein the surface of the functional barrier layer regulates cell adhesion,as well as a method for preparing said multifunctional coating.In a more specific embodiment of the invention, the polymeric film of the Zn-release layer has been formed by plasma assisted polymerisation of zinc-organic precursors, e.g. Zn(acac)2, bis(pentafluoro-phenyl)-zinc, and zinc-hexafluoro acetylacetonate.
