Peroxovanadates and Its Bio-Mimicking Relation with Vanadium Haloperoxidases

Vanadium Haloperoxidases (VHPOs) have been used in a variety of biotransformations showing remarkable stereoselectivity and regiospecificity. The high efficiency of the enzyme is influenced by the protein active site and the role of certain amino acids in activation of vanadium(V)-bound peroxide for halide oxidation. The use of natural or recombinant enzymes, or biomimetic vanadium compounds brings up issues regarding the cost of production and reaction conditions. In this chapter, the primary intent is to provide a simple and clear picture of functional mimicking nature of peroxovanadium compounds with haloperoxidases enzymes to the readers. Major emphasis would be given to examine the reactivity of the vanadium haloperoxidases with mechanism.

Synthesis, Characterizations, and Biological Effects Study of Some Quinoline Family

The objective of this work is the synthesis of new quinoline molecules which could have some biological activities. This chapter reported a new approach to the synthesis of some quinoline derivatives. The Baylis-Hillman reaction on 2-methoxy-3-formyl quinoléines derivatives have applied in order to obtain Baylis-Hillman adducts. The products are characterized by FTIR, NMR and X-ray single crystal diffraction .Also, a study of the antibacterial activity of the 3-(2-chloro quinoline)-3-hydroxy-2 methylene propanonitrile products synthesized have been explored. This assessment is made by using the disk diffusion method. The results showed that the 3-(2'-chloroquinoline)-3-hydroxy-2-methylenepropanonitril derivatives present a good antibacterial effectiveness against the strains tested Gram-positive and no antibacterial potency was observed against the stains Gram-negative used in the test.

Self-Assembled Biomimetic Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering

Cranial, maxillofacial, and oral fractures, as well as large bone defects, are currently being treated by auto- and allograft procedures. These techniques have limitations such as immune response, donor-site morbidity, and lack of availability. Therefore, the interest in tissue engineering applications as replacement for bone graft has been growing rapidly. Typical bone tissue engineering models require a cell-supporting scaffold in order to maintain a 3-dimensional substrate mimicking in vivo extracellular matrix for cells to attach, proliferate and function during the formation of bone tissue. Combining the understanding of molecular and structural biology with materials engineering and design will enable new strategies for developing biological tissue constructs with clinical relevance. Self-assembled biomimetic scaffolds are especially suitable as they provide spatial and temporal regulation. Specifically, self-assembling peptides capable of in situ gelation serve as attractive candidates for minimally invasive injectable therapies in bone tissue engineering applications.

A Bio-Inspired Phenomena in Cementitious Materials

In this chapter, a deep analyse of a bio-inspired phenomenon starting with broad definitions of included mechanisms is provided. Since establishing an understanding starts with drawing the boundaries of a concept, foremost the definition of related terms are discussed in detail. Afterwards, the importance and history of self-healing phenomenon including the relevant concepts are presented. In order to facilitate the classification, the relevant sub-chapters present two main classes namely autogenic and autonomic healing. Nevertheless, the concepts and mechanisms under these two main topics are also discussed in detail. Finally, evaluation of self-healing mechanisms, tests conducted to determine whether self-healing took place, the indicators of measurement methods, using materials and test methods are given in full detail.

Introduction to Bio-Inspired Hydrogel and Their Application

This chapter discusses the synthesis, characterization, and application of covalently and physically cross-linked polymers for biomedical application. This class of molecule is called hydrogels and is defined by a covalently bonded polymer matrix that can hold at least two times its mass in solvent. Hydrogels are general classes of polymeric systems that have further subgroups: semi-interpenetrating networks (SIPN), interpenetrating networks (IPN), block co-polymers, and grafted. The different methods to synthesize these hydrogels are discussed. Specific characterization techniques to evaluate the properties and functionalities of the hydrogels are also described in the chapter. Next, the practical and industrial applications of the hydrogels are detailed. Throughout this chapter we will highlight the different synthesis methods, characterization techniques, and current uses of hydrogels. The chapter will be a particularly useful overview and introduction for graduate students and researchers aiming to work in the field of hydrogels.

Bioinspired Materials and Biocompatibility

Material science and engineering are the sources of divergent emerging technologies, since all the modifications and developments are being made to reach a novel biomaterial to fulfill the requirements of biomedical applications, the first important feature is the biocompatibility of the new advanced material. In this chapter, the general biocompatibility concept, test systems to determine biocompatibility, examples of bioinspired materials and their altered biocompatibility and future expectations from these novel bioinspired materials will be discussed.

Impact of Electrospun Biomimetic Extracellular Environment on Proliferation and Intercellular Communication of Muscle Precursor Cells

Nanotextured materials or nanomaterials offer diverse remarkable applications in various walks of life owing to their unique geometry. This chapter is focused on the synthesis and characterization of electrospun nanofibrous matrices as a novel biomimetic scaffold for the cultivation of cells and tissues; in particular muscle cells and tissues. Tissue engineering is exceedingly interdisciplinary branch of science which integrates the benefits of life sciences and medicine with those of engineering. In order to cultivate muscle cells in-vitro, it is necessary to have a 3D scaffold. In tissue engineering applications or even in 3D cell cultures, the biological cross talk between cells and the scaffold is controlled by the material properties and scaffold characteristics. This chapter provides a general overview of the common approaches and techniques used for designing nanofibrous scaffolds for culture of cells specifically muscle cells. The limitations and benefits of the tissue engineering are discussed.

Toxic Effects of Engineered Nanoparticles on Living Cells

Measuring toxic effects of engineered nanoparticles on living cells would require a deep understanding of themselves by the mean of their composition, physical and chemical properties and exposure concentrations. Actually, high exposure concentrations are needed to generate quantifiable effects and to perceive accumulation above background. This chapter presents an overview on the assessment about the toxic effects of engineered nanoparticles on living cells. It consists of three main sections starting with a brief introduction, the current state of engineered nanoparticles in the environment, physical and chemical properties of some important engineered nanoparticles such as “Ag, Au, ZnO, TiO2” and the target organ toxicity of the engineered nanoparticles in several biological organisms.

Green Synthesis of Metallic Nanoparticles Using Plant Compounds and Their Applications

The advancement in nanoparticulate system has a great impact in many scientific areas. Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) such as silver, gold and copper were found to exhibit antibacterial and other biological activities. The phytochemical constituents (Tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins and glycosides) present in the plant extracts were used for the green synthesis of NPs of desired size and morphology. Moreover, these active molecules act as reducing and capping agents for the synthe¬sis of NPs, which makes them suitable for biomedical applications. Apart from many approach on synthesis of nanoparticles, green synthesis method becomes more preferable because of its ecofriendly and nontoxic approach. This approach might pave the path for researchers across the globe to explore the potential of different herbs in the synthesis of NPs. This chapter will discuss the synthesis of various metal NPs using plants and their phytochemical constituent's involved during the synthesis. A section devoted to the different applications will be presented.

Engineered Gellan Polysaccharides in the Design of Controlled Drug Delivery Systems

Natural polysaccharides are getting increasing attention in the development of pharmaceutical dosage forms due to their encouraging reports on nontoxicity and biodegradability. Natural gums can also be engineered to have better materials for drug delivery system design. Gellan gum originates from microbial fermentation and has been declared as safe by US FDA for human consumption. It possesses gelling ability in presence of multivalent earth metal cations and thus enabled the design of mutiparticulate drug delivery systems in completely aqueous environment avoiding the use of organic solvents. Due to faster drug release profiles of divalent cation-induced gellan gum particles, nowadays chemically modified forms of gellan polysaccharide are currently being investigated for the controlled release of drugs. This chapter discusses the factors contributing to the varying gelling characteristics of gellan gum and the recent developments in its chemical modification towards the fabrication of novel controlled drug delivery devices.