Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mathilde Grosjean, Edouard Girard, Audrey Bethry, Gregory Chagnon, Xavier Garric, Benjamin Nottelet
Summary: This study designed degradable bioadhesives based on PEG-PLA star-shaped hydrogels and investigated the performance of acrylate, methacrylate, and catechol functional copolymers as bioadhesive hydrogels. The results showed that these bioadhesives reached adhesion strength comparable to commercial glues and exhibited low cytotoxicity, indicating their potential as surgical adhesives.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patrik Stenstrom, Yanmiao Fan, Yuning Zhang, Daniel Hutchinson, Sandra Garcia-Gallego, Michael Malkoch
Summary: In this study, second generation antibacterial dendrimers were synthesized and used to fabricate antibacterial hydrogels with excellent swelling and mechanical properties. The hydrogels showed strong antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, as well as good biocompatibility towards human fibroblasts and mouse monocytes.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Meng Yang, Rong-Hui Deng, Fu-Zhen Yuan, Ji-Ying Zhang, Zi-Ning Zhang, You-Rong Chen, Jia-Kuo Yu
Summary: This study investigates the use of cell adhesion peptide-modified polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels as scaffolds for cartilage repair. The results show that cysteine-arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (CRGD) can enhance the interaction between peripheral blood mesenchymal stem cells (PBMSCs) and PEG hydrogels, promoting chondrogenic differentiation and tissue regeneration.
Article
Polymer Science
Moein Zarei, Miroslawa El Fray
Summary: Polymeric materials have a wide range of applications due to their controllable properties. In this study, a series of PBS-DLS-PEG copolymers were synthesized with different molecular weights of PEG to investigate their surface and thermal properties. The incorporation of higher molecular weight PEG improved the surface wettability of the materials while maintaining their thermal properties.
Article
Polymer Science
Andrew Chung, Burak Tavsanli, Elizabeth R. Gillies
Summary: Hydrogels have diverse applications, and OPF has attracted attention for its tunable degradation. By introducing protected amines into OPF, the degradation rate can be controlled by triggering the cleavage of the polymer backbone. This approach can be applied to other stimuli, providing a versatile method to control OPF degradation.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eva Mueller, Fei Xu, Todd Hoare
Summary: This study demonstrates the 3D printing of hydrazone-crosslinked POEGMA hydrogels using the FRESH technique and a low-cost extrusion bioprinter. The dynamic nature of the hydrazone cross-links allows for the reconfiguration of the gel structure and maintains the degradability of the scaffold. Moreover, the POEGMA hydrogels support cell adhesion and viability.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alasdair D. M. Rigby, Amaziah R. R. Alipio, Viviane Chiaradia, Maria C. C. Arno
Summary: Photo electron/energy transfer-reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (PET-RAFT) has been developed as a powerful technique for reversible-deactivation radical polymerization, allowing oxygen-tolerant polymerizations with precise control through visible-light irradiation. This study demonstrates the potential of PET-RAFT polymerization for the synthesis of self-healing hydrogel scaffolds for cell encapsulation, achieving high monomer conversions and cell encapsulation efficiencies. The prepared hydrogels exhibit expected rheological and mechanical properties, excellent cytocompatibility, and spatiotemporal control over the polymerization process.
Article
Polymer Science
Tomoki Maeda, Midori Kitagawa, Atsushi Hotta
Summary: The thermoresponsive gelation behavior and degradation behavior of nanocomposites made of PEG-b-PLGA diblock copolymers and laponite were studied by changing the blend ratio of the copolymers, revealing the significant impact of blend ratio on degradation rate.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ekkachai Martwong, Yvette Tran
Summary: The study reports on the synthesis and temperature-responsive properties of poly(PEGMA) hydrogel thin films. Surface-attached poly(PEGMA) hydrogel films were synthesized using a simple, versatile, and well-controlled thiol-ene click reaction method, with the transition temperature finely tunable by adjusting the number of PEG units. The LCST properties of the hydrogel films are not sensitive to salt, holding promise for applications in biology such as injectable hydrogels, drug delivery systems, microfluidic valves, and flow switches for biotechnologies.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jinyoung Hwang, Phuong Le Thi, Simin Lee, Eun-Hye Park, Eunmi Lee, Eunmin Kim, Kiyuk Chang, Ki Dong Park
Summary: Although numerous poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based bioadhesives have been developed and commercialized, their biocompatibility and bioactivity performances are generally lacking. To address these issues, chemically crosslinked gelatin-PEG adhesive hydrogels (GP) were designed through the enzymatic crosslinking reaction of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The GP hydrogels exhibited adjustable mechanical and adhesive properties and effectively improved tissue adhesiveness and bioactivity. They also showed promising potential for hemostatic and wound healing treatments.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Ionela Alice Podaru, Paul O. Stanescu, Raluca Ginghin, Stefania Stoleriu, Bogdan Tric, Raluca Somoghi, Mircea Teodorescu
Summary: This study investigates the synthesis and properties of nanocomposite hydrogels obtained by the aqueous solution free radical polymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) in the presence of Laponite XLG (XLG) as a crosslinker, and compares them with hydrogels prepared using conventional crosslinking agents. The results show that XLG is a better crosslinking agent than the conventional agent, leading to larger gel fractions and more homogeneous network hydrogels. Adding XLG as a second crosslinker significantly enhances the material properties.
Review
Polymer Science
Mohammad Hakim Khalili, Rujing Zhang, Sandra Wilson, Saurav Goel, Susan A. Impey, Adrianus Indrat Aria
Summary: This review discusses recent advancements in the use of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels for tissue engineering. PEGDA hydrogels possess soft and hydrated properties that make them highly attractive in the biomedical field. The review compares traditional bulk photo-crosslinking with the latest three-dimensional (3D) printing of PEGDA hydrogels and provides detailed evidence on their mechanical characteristics and biomedical applications. It also explores the current obstacles and future possibilities in engineering 3D layer-by-layer (LbL) PEGDA hydrogels for tissue engineering and organ-on-chip devices.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Nicole E. Friend, Atticus J. McCoy, Jan P. Stegemann, Andrew J. Putnam
Summary: The formation of functional capillary blood vessels in engineered tissues remains a challenge. In this study, researchers investigated the effects of matrix properties on vessel network formation using PEG hydrogels. By varying the crosslinking ratio and incorporating cleavage sites, they found that reducing crosslinking or increasing degradability promoted vascularization and cell-mediated stiffening. These findings highlight the importance of cell-mediated remodeling for rapid vessel formation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guodong Nian, Junsoo Kim, Xianyang Bao, Zhigang Suo
Summary: In this study, a novel method was developed to create hydrogels that are both swell-resistant and tough by densely entangling polymer chains at elevated temperatures and sparsely crosslinking them using UV light. This method is applicable to various synthetic and natural polymers and compatible with industrial processing technologies, opening doors to the development of sustainable and high-performance hydrogels.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mithun Rajendra Dethe, A. Prabakaran, Hafiz Ahmed, Mukta Agrawal, Upal Roy, Amit Alexander
Summary: Stimuli-responsive hydrogels have been extensively studied in biomedical applications due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. The emergence of in situ stimuli-responsive hydrogels is the result of advancements in synthetic chemistry and materials science. The copolymer PCL-PEG, recognized by the FDA, can form thermosensitive injectable hydrogels that exhibit rapid and reversible gelation behavior.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hyeonjin Park, Tun Naw Sut, Bo Kyeong Yoon, Vladimir P. Zhdanov, Jin Woong Kim, Nam-Joon Cho, Joshua A. Jackman
Summary: The size of ligand-modified lipid vesicles has a significant impact on their membrane bending properties, with a pronounced transition between 60 and 180 nm in diameter. These findings enhance our understanding of how nanoparticle size affects multivalent-induced shape deformation and can guide the design of biomimetic nanoparticles with tailored nanomechanical properties.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Hongmei Xu, Hyunhyuk Tae, Nam-Joon Cho, Changjin Huang, K. Jimmy Hsia
Summary: The solvent-assisted lipid bilayer (SALB) formation method is a simple and efficient microfluidic-based strategy for fabricating supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) with diverse compositions on various solid supports. Through thermodynamic modeling, this study explored the effects of experimental parameters on SALB formation, including substrate surface properties, initial lipid concentration, and temperature. The results showed that all parameters are crucial for the successful formation of high-quality SLBs. The model also provides guidance for optimizing experimental conditions for lipid membrane-related applications.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Hyunhyuk Tae, Soohyun Park, Gamaliel Junren Ma, Nam-Joon Cho
Summary: In this study, an air-stable supported lipid bilayer (SLB) that is laterally mobile upon rehydration was fabricated using a sucrose-bicelle complex system. The sucrose fraction in the system was found to be an important factor, with 20 wt% sucrose yielding SLBs that fully recovered lateral mobility after the dehydration-rehydration process. This research provides potential for a wide range of biointerfacial science applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ze Zhao, Jingyu Deng, Hyunhyuk Tae, Mohammed Shahrudin Ibrahim, Subra Suresh, Nam-Joon Cho
Summary: Despite the rise of paperless technologies, paper still remains widely used and the environmental challenges associated with conventional paper manufacturing need to be addressed. This study presents a method for producing reusable and recyclable paper using pollen grains, which allows for high-quality printing and reuse. The use of pollen as a sustainable source of paper has advantages in terms of environmental impact and energy consumption.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Youngkyu Hwang, Dong Jun Koo, Abdul Rahim Ferhan, Tun Naw Sut, Bo Kyeong Yoon, Nam-Joon Cho, Joshua A. Jackman
Summary: Gold nanorods are used for constructing surface-based nanoplasmonic biosensing platforms. Controlling the concentration of APTES during surface preparation affects density and sensitivity of the biosensing platform.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Bo Kyeong Yoon, Sue Woon Tan, Jia Ying Brenda Tan, Joshua A. Jackman, Nam-Joon Cho
Summary: The use of nanoscience tools to investigate the disruption of phospholipid membranes by antimicrobial lipids has advanced biophysical understanding and opened up new application possibilities. Studies on odd-chain antimicrobial lipids are needed as they are highly biologically active. In this study, the disruption of membrane-mimicking phospholipid bilayers by an 11-carbon fatty acid and its monoglyceride counterparts was investigated using the QCM-D and EIS techniques. The results showed that the antimicrobial lipids caused membrane tubulation and budding, with the monoglyceride being more potent. The study also found that the 11-carbon antimicrobial lipids caused more extensive membrane disruption compared to their 12-carbon analogues.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hyeonjin Park, Tun Naw Sut, Bo Kyeong Yoon, Vladimir P. Zhdanov, Nam-Joon Cho, Joshua A. Jackman
Summary: Cholesterol plays a critical role in modulating the lipid membrane properties of sub-100 nm lipid vesicles and lipid nanoparticles. Our findings reveal that cholesterol-containing vesicles can bind to receptor-functionalized membranes but undergo less multivalency-induced shape deformation due to an increase in membrane bending rigidity.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Soohyun Park, Nam-Joon Cho
Summary: Membrane-enveloped viruses are responsible for most viral pandemics in history, and more effort is needed to advance broadly applicable countermeasures to mitigate the impact of future outbreaks. Biosensing techniques associated with lipid model membrane platforms are contributing to improving our mechanistic knowledge of membrane fusion and destabilization, vaccine development, and antiviral drug development. By abrogating the function of viral membranes, these techniques can provide valuable information that could be translated into biomedicines and improve their selectivity and performance.
Editorial Material
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Nam-Joon Cho
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tun Naw Sut, Abdul Rahim Ferhan, Soohyun Park, Dong Jun Koo, Bo Kyeong Yoon, Joshua A. Jackman, Nam-Joon Cho
Summary: This study investigates the adsorption process of inverse PC lipid vesicles on TiO2 and SiO2 surfaces by tuning the balance of noncovalent and covalent forces. The formation of an SLB on TiO2 depends on favorable noncovalent forces for initial adsorption and a critical density of lipid-TiO2 covalent bonds for deformation, fusion, and rupture. On the other hand, specific conditions for SLB formation on SiO2 have been identified. The experimental results are supported by interfacial force modeling, revealing the deterministic role of noncovalent and covalent forces in modulating lipid self-assembly pathways.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sungmin Shin, Hyunhyuk Tae, Soohyun Park, Nam-Joon Cho
Summary: Antimicrobial fatty acids derived from natural sources and renewable feedstocks are a promising surface-active substance with a wide range of applications. Their ability to target bacterial membrane in multiple mechanisms offers a promising antimicrobial approach. However, the interaction and destabilization of bacterial cell membranes by these compounds are not yet fully understood.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hyeonjin Park, Tun Naw Sut, Abdul Rahim Ferhan, Bo Kyeong Yoon, Vladimir P. Zhdanov, Nam-Joon Cho, Joshua A. Jackman
Summary: The multivalent ligand-receptor interactions between receptor-presenting lipid membranes and ligand-modified nanoparticles play a crucial role in cellular entry and fusion processes. This study investigates the effects of environmental pH changes on these interactions and the deformation of lipid vesicles. The results demonstrate that the extent of the multivalent interactions and vesicle shape deformation are influenced by the pH conditions, with a higher degree of deformation observed under acidic conditions. These findings highlight the sensitivity of high-curvature lipid membranes to solution pH and the significance of multivalency-induced shape deformation in biological environments.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tun Naw Sut, Sigalit Meker, Dong Jun Koo, Joshua A. Jackman, Nam-Joon Cho
Summary: In this study, the effect of solution pH and ionic strength on the adsorption behavior of DOCP lipid vesicles on titania and silica surfaces was systematically investigated. The results showed that the adsorption behavior of DOCP lipid vesicles on these surfaces was opposite to that of conventional phosphocholine lipids. The interplay of solution pH and ionic strength was found to modulate the adsorption behavior of DOCP lipid vesicles, providing insights for the fabrication of stabilized inverse-phosphocholine lipid bilayers on oxide surfaces.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hyunhyuk Tae, Chungmo Yang, Nam-Joon Cho
Summary: This article discusses the importance and applications of supported lipid bilayers (SLBs), as well as a new SLB fabrication method called the solvent-assisted lipid bilayer (SALB) method. By comparing the SALB method with the traditional vesicle fusion method, the authors explain the advantages and applicability of SALB method. The article provides a detailed introduction to the development and experimental analysis techniques of SALB method, as well as its applications in biocompatible coatings, biomolecular interaction monitoring, and extracellular matrix remodeling.
ACCOUNTS OF MATERIALS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Gamaliel Junren Ma, Bo Kyeong Yoon, Tun Naw Sut, Ki Yeol Yoo, Seung Hwa Lee, Won-Yong Jeon, Joshua A. Jackman, Katsuhiko Ariga, Nam-Joon Cho
Summary: Pharmaceutical drugs and vaccines are packaged in glass and plastic containers, but nonspecific adsorption on container walls reduces drug activity. Recent events have accelerated progress in this material science challenge and spurred research into lipid bilayer coatings.