scholarly journals Novel thermoresponsive polymer outperforming Pluronic® F127

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Constantinou ◽  
Valeria Nele ◽  
James Doutch ◽  
Roman Moiseev ◽  
Vitaliy Khutoryanskiy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Thermoresponsive Polymer ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Thermoresponsive Polymers ◽  
Crosslinked Networks ◽  
Gelation Concentration ◽  
Physically Crosslinked

Abstract Thermoresponsive polymers featuring the appropriate combination of structural characteristics, i.e. architecture, composition, and molar mass (MM), can form physically crosslinked networks in a solvent upon changes in temperature. This fascinating class of polymers finds utility in various sectors such as formulation science and tissue engineering. Here, we report a novel thermoresponsive triblock terpolymer which out-performs the most commonly used and commercially available thermoresponsive polymer, Poloxamer P407 (also known as Pluronic® F127) in terms of gelation concentration. Specifically, the in-house synthesised polymer forms gels at lower concentrations that is an advantage in biomedical applications. To elucidate the differences in their macroscale gelling behaviour, we investigate their micellization via differential scanning calorimetry, and their nanoscale self-assembly behaviour in detail by means of small-angle neutron scattering by simultaneously recording their rheological properties (Rheo-SANS). Two different gelation mechanisms for the two polymers are revealed and proposed. Ex vivo gelation study upon intracameral injections demonstrated excellent potential for its application to improve drug residence in the eye.

Self-assembly of trigonal building blocks into nanostructures: molecular design and biomedical applications

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (31) ◽  
pp. 6739-6752
Author(s):  
Kaiqi Long ◽  
Yuwei Liu ◽  
Yafei Li ◽  
Weiping Wang
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Molecular Design ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Building Blocks

This review introduces trigonal building blocks and summarizes their structural characteristics, self-assembly ability and biomedical applications.

scholarly journals Foldamers Reveal and Validate Novel Therapeutic Targets Associated with Toxic α-Synuclein Self-Assembly

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jemil Ahmed ◽  
Tessa C Fitch ◽  
Courtney M Donnelly ◽  
Johnson A Joseph ◽  
Mikaela M Bassil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Alpha Synuclein ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Therapeutic Implications ◽  
Effective Inhibition

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder for which there is no successful prevention or intervention. The pathological hallmark for PD involves the self-assembly of functional Alpha-Synuclein (AS) into non-functional amyloid structures. One of the potential therapeutic interventions against PD is the effective inhibition of AS aggregation. However, the bottleneck towards achieving this goal is the identification of AS domains/sequences that are essential for aggregation. Using a protein mimetic approach, we have identified AS sequences based novel targets that are essential for aggregation and will have significant therapeutic implications. An extensive array of in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo assays was utilized to validate AS sequences and their structural characteristics that are essential for aggregation and propagation of PD phenotypes. The study aids in developing significant mechanistic and therapeutic insights into various facets of AS aggregation, which will pave the way for novel and effective treatments for PD.

Self-Assembly of Hydrogels From Elastin-Mimetic Block Copolymers

2002 ◽  
Vol 724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth R. Wright ◽  
R. Andrew McMillan ◽  
Alan Cooper ◽  
Robert P. Apkarian ◽  
Vincent P. Conticello
Keyword(s):  
Block Copolymers ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Triblock Copolymers ◽  
Variable Temperature ◽  
Inverse Temperature ◽  
Temperature Transition ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Design Synthesis ◽  
Inverse Temperature Transition ◽  
Functional Biomaterials

AbstractTriblock copolymers have traditionally been synthesized with conventional organic components. However, triblock copolymers could be synthesized by the incorporation of two incompatible protein-based polymers. The polypeptides would differ in their hydrophobicity and confer unique physiochemical properties to the resultant materials. One protein-based polymer, based on a sequence of native elastin, that has been utilized in the synthesis of biomaterials is poly (Valine-Proline-Glycine-ValineGlycine) or poly(VPGVG) [1]. This polypeptide has been shown to have an inverse temperature transition that can be adjusted by non-conservative amino acid substitutions in the fourth position [2]. By combining polypeptide blocks with different inverse temperature transition values due to hydrophobicity differences, we expect to produce amphiphilic polypeptides capable of self-assembly into hydrogels. Our research examines the design, synthesis and characterization of elastin-mimetic block copolymers as functional biomaterials. The methods that are used for the characterization include variable temperature 1D and 2D High-Resolution-NMR, cryo-High Resolutions Scanning Electron Microscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry.

The Development of Pemetrexed Diacid-Loaded Gelatin-Cloisite 30B (MMT) Nanocomposite for Improved Oral Efficacy Against Cancer: Characterization, In-Vitro and Ex-Vivo Assessment

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 246-256
Author(s):  
Kriti Soni ◽  
Ali Mujtaba ◽  
Md. Habban Akhter ◽  
Kanchan Kohli
Keyword(s):  
Drug Release ◽  
Oral Delivery ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Release Mechanism ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Sem Images ◽  
Cloisite 30B ◽  
Ft Ir

Aim: The intention of this investigation was to develop Pemetrexed Diacid (PTX)-loaded gelatine-cloisite 30B (MMT) nanocomposite for the potential oral delivery of PTX and the in vitro, and ex vivo assessment. Background: Gelatin/Cloisite 30 B (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by blending gelatin with MMT in aqueous solution. Methods: PTX was incorporated into the nanocomposite preparation. The nanocomposites were investigated by Fourier Transmission Infra Red Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Confocal Laser Microscopy (CLSM). FT-IR of nanocomposite showed the disappearance of all major peaks which corroborated the formation of nanocomposites. The nanocomposites were found to have a particle size of 121.9 ± 1.85 nm and zeta potential -12.1 ± 0.63 mV. DSC thermogram of drug loaded nanocomposites indicated peak at 117.165 oC and 205.816 oC, which clearly revealed that the drug has been incorporated into the nanocomposite because of cross-linking of cloisite 30 B and gelatin in the presence of glutaraldehyde. Results: SEM images of gelatin show a network like structure which disappears in the nanocomposite. The kinetics of the drug release was studied in order to ascertain the type of release mechanism. The drug release from nanocomposites was in a controlled manner, followed by first-order kinetics and the drug release mechanism was found to be of Fickian type. Conclusion: Ex vivo gut permeation studies revealed 4 times enhancement in the permeation of drug present in the nanocomposite as compared to plain drug solution and were further affirmed by CLSM. Thus, gelatin/(MMT) nanocomposite could be promising for the oral delivery of PTX in cancer therapy and future prospects for the industrial pharmacy.

scholarly journals The effects of cononsolvents on the synthesis of responsive particles via polymerisation-induced thermal self-assembly

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marissa Morales-Moctezuma ◽  
Sebastian G Spain
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Biomedical Applications

Nanogels have emerged as innovative platforms for numerous biomedical applications including gene and drug delivery, biosensors, imaging, and tissue engineering. Polymerisation-induced thermal self-assembly (PITSA) has been shown to be suitable...

scholarly journals Effect of pore diameter on the elution behavior of analytes from thermoresponsive polymer grafted beads packed columns

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichi Nagase ◽  
Yuta Umemoto ◽  
Hideko Kanazawa
Keyword(s):  
Pore Diameter ◽  
Packed Column ◽  
Packed Columns ◽  
Butyl Methacrylate ◽  
Thermoresponsive Polymer ◽  
Thermoresponsive Polymers ◽  
Column Temperature ◽  
Pore Sizes ◽  
Temperature Responsive ◽  
Elution Behavior

AbstractTemperature-responsive chromatography using thermoresponsive polymers is innovative and can control analyte retention via column temperature. Analyte elution behavior in this type of chromatography depends on the modified thermoresponsive polymer and the structure of the base materials. In the present study, we examine the effect of the pore diameter of silica beads on analyte elution behavior in temperature-responsive chromatography. Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-n-butyl methacrylate) hydrogel was applied to beads of various pore sizes: 7, 12, and 30 nm. Almost the same amount of copolymer hydrogel was applied to all beads, indicating that the efficiency of copolymer modification was independent of pore size. Analyte retention on prepared beads in a packed column was observed using steroids, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates as analytes. Analyte retention times increased with temperature on packed columns of 12- and 30-nm beads, whereas the column packed with 7-nm beads exhibited decreased retention times with increasing temperature. The difference in analyte elution behavior among the various pore sizes was attributed to analyte diffusion into the bead pores. These results demonstrate that bead pore diameter determines temperature-dependent elution behavior.

scholarly journals Quadruple Hydrogen Bond-Containing A-AB-A Triblock Copolymers: Probing the Influence of Hydrogen Bonding in the Central Block

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (15) ◽  
pp. 4705
Author(s):  
Boer Liu ◽  
Xi Chen ◽  
Glenn A. Spiering ◽  
Robert B. Moore ◽  
Timothy E. Long
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Bonding ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Microphase Separation ◽  
Triblock Copolymers ◽  
Random Copolymer ◽  
Thermomechanical Properties ◽  
Structure Property ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Central Block ◽  
Quadruple Hydrogen Bonding

This work reveals the influence of pendant hydrogen bonding strength and distribution on self-assembly and the resulting thermomechanical properties of A-AB-A triblock copolymers. Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization afforded a library of A-AB-A acrylic triblock copolymers, wherein the A unit contained cytosine acrylate (CyA) or post-functionalized ureido cytosine acrylate (UCyA) and the B unit consisted of n-butyl acrylate (nBA). Differential scanning calorimetry revealed two glass transition temperatures, suggesting microphase-separation in the A-AB-A triblock copolymers. Thermomechanical and morphological analysis revealed the effects of hydrogen bonding distribution and strength on the self-assembly and microphase-separated morphology. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed multiple tan delta (δ) transitions that correlated to chain relaxation and hydrogen bonding dissociation, further confirming the microphase-separated structure. In addition, UCyA triblock copolymers possessed an extended modulus plateau versus temperature compared to the CyA analogs due to the stronger association of quadruple hydrogen bonding. CyA triblock copolymers exhibited a cylindrical microphase-separated morphology according to small-angle X-ray scattering. In contrast, UCyA triblock copolymers lacked long-range ordering due to hydrogen bonding induced phase mixing. The incorporation of UCyA into the soft central block resulted in improved tensile strength, extensibility, and toughness compared to the AB random copolymer and A-B-A triblock copolymer comparisons. This study provides insight into the structure-property relationships of A-AB-A supramolecular triblock copolymers that result from tunable association strengths.

scholarly journals Effect of tungsten disulfide nanotubes on crystallization of polylactide under uniaxial deformation and annealing

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fausta Loffredo ◽  
Loredana Tammaro ◽  
Tiziana Di Luccio ◽  
Carmela Borriello ◽  
Fulvia Villani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Structural Evolution ◽  
Tungsten Disulfide ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Nanocomposite Films ◽  
Uniaxial Deformation ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Scattering

AbstractTungsten disulfide (WS2) nanotubes (NTs) are examined here as a filler for polylactide (PLA) for their ability to accelerate PLA crystallization and for their promising biocompatibility in relevant to biomedical applications of PLA-WS2 nanocomposites. In this work, we have studied the structural and thermal properties of PLA-WS2 nanocomposite films varying the concentration of WS2 NTs from 0 (neat PLA) to 0.6 wt%. The films were uniaxially drawn at 90 °C and annealed at the same temperature for 3 and 10 min. Using wide angle x-ray scattering, Raman spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, we probed the effects of WS2 NT addition on the structure of the PLA films at various stages of processing (unstretched, stretching, annealing). We found that 0.6 wt% of WS2 induces the same level of crystallinity in as stretched PLA-WS2 as annealing in neat PLA for 10 min. These data provide useful insights into the role of WS2 NTs on the structural evolution of PLA-WS2 composites under uniaxial deformation, and extend their applicability to situations where fine tuning of PLA crystallinity is desirable.

scholarly journals DNA-Guided Assembly for Fibril Proteins

Mathematics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 404
Author(s):  
Alexandru Amărioarei ◽  
Frankie Spencer ◽  
Gefry Barad ◽  
Ana-Maria Gheorghe ◽  
Corina Iţcuş ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computational Model ◽  
Structural Properties ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Computational Modelling ◽  
Shape Reconstruction ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Dna Assembly ◽  
Mesh Structure ◽  
Elementary Fibril

Current advances in computational modelling and simulation have led to the inclusion of computer scientists as partners in the process of engineering of new nanomaterials and nanodevices. This trend is now, more than ever, visible in the field of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-based nanotechnology, as DNA’s intrinsic principle of self-assembly has been proven to be highly algorithmic and programmable. As a raw material, DNA is a rather unremarkable fabric. However, as a way to achieve patterns, dynamic behavior, or nano-shape reconstruction, DNA has been proven to be one of the most functional nanomaterials. It would thus be of great potential to pair up DNA’s highly functional assembly characteristics with the mechanic properties of other well-known bio-nanomaterials, such as graphene, cellulos, or fibroin. In the current study, we perform projections regarding the structural properties of a fibril mesh (or filter) for which assembly would be guided by the controlled aggregation of DNA scaffold subunits. The formation of such a 2D fibril mesh structure is ensured by the mechanistic assembly properties borrowed from the DNA assembly apparatus. For generating inexpensive pre-experimental assessments regarding the efficiency of various assembly strategies, we introduced in this study a computational model for the simulation of fibril mesh assembly dynamical systems. Our approach was based on providing solutions towards two main circumstances. First, we created a functional computational model that is restrictive enough to be able to numerically simulate the controlled aggregation of up to 1000s of elementary fibril elements yet rich enough to provide actionable insides on the structural characteristics for the generated assembly. Second, we used the provided numerical model in order to generate projections regarding effective ways of manipulating one of the the key structural properties of such generated filters, namely the average size of the openings (gaps) within these meshes, also known as the filter’s aperture. This work is a continuation of Amarioarei et al., 2018, where a preliminary version of this research was discussed.

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