Protein immobilization is important in various medical fields that involve the use of metal. Titanium has been often utilized in various medical fields based on its biocompatibility and noncytotoxicity. However, as an unmodified titanium surface is not suitable, dopamine must be coated on the titanium surface. Among gelatin sources, fish gelatin is more suitable in the human body and does not pose serious side effects compared to porcine gelatin. Therefore, a photoreactive azidophenyl group was introduced to fish gelatin to create azidophenyl-fish gelatin (azidophenyl-f.gel). The azidophenyl group was analyzed by 1H-NMR, UV spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography. The curing ratio of azidophenyl-f.gel was measured using a micropatterning plate. Epidermal growth factor immobilization ability, cytotoxicity, and cell attachment tests were performed. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2012