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Biosensors Oct 2018This review focuses on the fabrication of biosensors using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as recognition and/or transducer elements. A brief introduction discussing the... (Review)
Review
This review focuses on the fabrication of biosensors using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as recognition and/or transducer elements. A brief introduction discussing the importance of the development of new biosensor schemes is presented, describing these coordination polymers, their properties, applications, and the main advantages and drawbacks for the final goal. The increasing number of publications regarding the characteristics of these materials and the new micro- and nanofabrication techniques allowing the preparation of more accurate, robust, and sensitive biosensors are also discussed. This work aims to offer a new perspective from the point of view of materials science compared to other reviews focusing on the transduction mechanism or the nature of the analyte. A few examples are discussed depending on the starting materials, the integration of the MOF as a part of the biosensor and, in a deep detail, the fabrication procedure.
Topics: Biosensing Techniques; Electrochemistry; Metal-Organic Frameworks; Nanostructures; Polymers
PubMed: 30332786
DOI: 10.3390/bios8040092 -
Molecular Plant-microbe Interactions :... Jul 2021This study evaluated the efficacy of the combined application of well-characterized chitosan polymer (degree of acetylation = 10%, degree of polymerization [DPn] = 90,...
This study evaluated the efficacy of the combined application of well-characterized chitosan polymer (degree of acetylation = 10%, degree of polymerization [DPn] = 90, and dispersity [Ð] = 2.8) and oligomers (partially acetylated chitosan polymers and oligosaccharides [paCOS]) (DP = 2 to 17) on conidia germination and mycelial growth of , the major causal agent of Fusarium head blight in wheat. The polymer alone showed a higher inhibitory effect than the paCOS mixture alone, with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of less than 50 µg ml and more than 100 µg ml, respectively. Using time-lapse microscopy, we also showed that paCOS did not affect conidia germination at 50 µg ml, whereas chitosan polymer at the same concentration led to a delay in germination and in elongation of germ tubes. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the chitosan-induced changes in hyphal morphology. Surprisingly, the combination of chitosan polymer and paCOS led to strong synergistic effects in inhibiting conidia germination and fungal growth, as quantified by both the Abbot and Wadley equations. To our knowledge, this is the first report on a synergistic effect of a combination of chitosan polymers and oligomers, also highlighting for the first time the importance of Ð when studying structure-function relationships of functional biopolymers such as chitosan. The consequences of this finding for the improvement of chitosan-based antimicrobial or plant protective products are discussed. Given the economic importance of , this study suggests that the combination of chitosan polymer and oligomers can be used to support an efficient, sustainable plant protection strategy.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license.
Topics: Chitosan; Fusarium; Plant Diseases; Polymers; Triticum
PubMed: 33683142
DOI: 10.1094/MPMI-07-20-0185-R -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... Jul 2021Through advances in molecular design, understanding of processing parameters, and development of non-traditional device fabrication techniques, the field of wearable and... (Review)
Review
Through advances in molecular design, understanding of processing parameters, and development of non-traditional device fabrication techniques, the field of wearable and implantable skin-inspired devices is rapidly growing interest in the consumer market. Like previous technological advances, economic growth and efficiency is anticipated, as these devices will enable an augmented level of interaction between humans and the environment. However, the parallel growing electronic waste that is yet to be addressed has already left an adverse impact on the environment and human health. Looking forward, it is imperative to develop both human- and environmentally-friendly electronics, which are contingent on emerging recyclable, biodegradable, and biocompatible polymer technologies. This review provides definitions for recyclable, biodegradable, and biocompatible polymers based on reported literature, an overview of the analytical techniques used to characterize mechanical and chemical property changes, and standard policies for real-life applications. Then, various strategies in designing the next-generation of polymers to be recyclable, biodegradable, or biocompatible with enhanced functionalities relative to traditional or commercial polymers are discussed. Finally, electronics that exhibit an element of recyclability, biodegradability, or biocompatibility with new molecular design are highlighted with the anticipation of integrating emerging polymer chemistries into future electronic devices.
Topics: Biocompatible Materials; Electronics; Humans; Polymers; Prostheses and Implants
PubMed: 34014619
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202101233 -
Marine Drugs Dec 2022Alginates (ALG) have been used in biomedical and pharmaceutical technologies for decades. ALG are natural polymers occurring in brown algae and feature multiple... (Review)
Review
Alginates (ALG) have been used in biomedical and pharmaceutical technologies for decades. ALG are natural polymers occurring in brown algae and feature multiple advantages, including biocompatibility, low toxicity and mucoadhesiveness. Moreover, ALG demonstrate biological activities per se, including anti-hyperlipidemic, antimicrobial, anti-reflux, immunomodulatory or anti-inflammatory activities. ALG are characterized by gelling ability, one of the most frequently utilized properties in the drug form design. ALG have numerous applications in pharmaceutical technology that include micro- and nanoparticles, tablets, mucoadhesive dosage forms, wound dressings and films. However, there are some shortcomings, which impede the development of modified-release dosage forms or formulations with adequate mechanical strength based on pure ALG. Other natural polymers combined with ALG create great potential as drug carriers, improving limitations of ALG matrices. Therefore, in this paper, ALG blends with pectins, chitosan, gelatin, and carrageenans were critically reviewed.
Topics: Alginates; Drug Delivery Systems; Polymers; Drug Carriers; Chitosan
PubMed: 36662184
DOI: 10.3390/md21010011 -
Biosensors May 2022The evolution of biosensors and diagnostic devices has been thriving in its ability to provide reliable tools with simplified operation steps. These evolutions have... (Review)
Review
The evolution of biosensors and diagnostic devices has been thriving in its ability to provide reliable tools with simplified operation steps. These evolutions have paved the way for further advances in sensing materials, strategies, and device structures. Polymeric composite materials can be formed into nanostructures and networks of different types, including hydrogels, vesicles, dendrimers, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP), etc. Due to their biocompatibility, flexibility, and low prices, they are promising tools for future lab-on-chip devices as both manufacturing materials and immobilization surfaces. Polymers can also allow the construction of scaffold materials and 3D structures that further elevate the sensing capabilities of traditional 2D biosensors. This review discusses the latest developments in nano-scaled materials and synthesis techniques for polymer structures and their integration into sensing applications by highlighting their various structural advantages in producing highly sensitive tools that rival bench-top instruments. The developments in material design open a new door for decentralized medicine and public protection that allows effective onsite and point-of-care diagnostics.
Topics: Biosensing Techniques; Nanostructures; Polymers
PubMed: 35624602
DOI: 10.3390/bios12050301 -
Emerging Topics in Life Sciences Dec 2022Biology demonstrates meticulous ways to control biomaterials self-assemble into ordered and disordered structures to carry out necessary bioprocesses. Empowering the... (Review)
Review
Biology demonstrates meticulous ways to control biomaterials self-assemble into ordered and disordered structures to carry out necessary bioprocesses. Empowering the synthetic polymers to self-assemble like biomaterials is a hallmark of polymer physics studies. Unlike protein engineering, polymer science demystifies self-assembly by purposely embedding particular functional groups into the backbone of the polymer while isolating others. The polymer field has now entered an era of advancing materials design by mimicking nature to a very large extend. For example, we can make sequence-specific polymers to study highly ordered mesostructures similar to studying proteins, and use charged polymers to study liquid-liquid phase separation as in membraneless organelles. This mini-review summarizes recent advances in studying self-assembly using bio-inspired strategies on single-component and multi-component systems. Sequence-defined techniques are used to make on-demand hybrid materials to isolate the effects of chirality and chemistry in synthetic block copolymer self-assembly. In the meantime, sequence patterning leads to more hierarchical assemblies comprised of only hydrophobic and hydrophilic comonomers. The second half of the review discusses complex coacervates formed as a result of the associative charge interactions of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes. The tunable phase behavior and viscoelasticity are unique in studying liquid macrophase separation because the slow polymer relaxation comes primarily from charge interactions. Studies of bio-inspired polymer self-assembly significantly impact how we optimize user-defined materials on a molecular level.
Topics: Polymers; Proteins; Polyelectrolytes; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Biocompatible Materials
PubMed: 36254846
DOI: 10.1042/ETLS20220057 -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2023Due to the growing interest in biopolymers, biosynthesizable and biodegradable polymers currently occupy a special place. Unfortunately, the properties of native...
Due to the growing interest in biopolymers, biosynthesizable and biodegradable polymers currently occupy a special place. Unfortunately, the properties of native biopolymers make them not good enough for use as substitutes for conventional polymers. Therefore, attempts are being made to modify their properties. In this work, in order to improve the properties of the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) biopolymer, linear aliphatic polyurethane (PU) based on 1,4-butanediol (BD) and hexamethylene 1,6-diisocyanate (HDI) was used. The conducted studies on the effect of the amount of PU used (5, 10, 15 and 20 m/m%) showed an improvement in the thermal properties of the prepared polymer blends. As part of the tested mechanical properties of the new polymer blends, we noted the desired increase in the tensile strength, and the impact strength showed a decrease in hardness, in particular at the presence of 5 m/m% PU. Therefore, for further improvement, hybrid nanobiocomposites with 5 m/m% PU and organically modified montmorillonite (MMT) (Cloisite 30B) were produced. The nanoadditive was used in a typical amount of 1-3 m/m%. It was found that the obtained nanobiocomposites containing the smallest amount of nanofillers, i.e., 1 m/m% Cloisite30B, exhibited the best mechanical and thermal properties.
Topics: Polymers; Polyurethanes; Bentonite; 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid; Biopolymers
PubMed: 38139234
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417405 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2022A new programed upper critical solution temperature-type thermoresponsive polymer was developed using water-soluble anionic polymer conjugates derived from...
A new programed upper critical solution temperature-type thermoresponsive polymer was developed using water-soluble anionic polymer conjugates derived from polyallylamine and phthalic acid with cleavage-induced phase transition property. Intrinsic charge inversion from anion to cation of the polymer side chain is induced through a side chain cleavage reaction in acidic aqueous media. With the progress of side chain cleavage under fixed external conditions, the polymer conjugates express a thermoresponsive property, followed by shifting a phase boundary due to the change in polymer composition. When the phase transition boundary eventually reached the examined temperature, phase transition occurs under fixed external conditions. Such new insight obtained in this study opens up the new concept of time-programed stimuli-responsive polymer possessing a cleavage-induced phase transition.
Topics: Anions; Phase Transition; Polymers; Stimuli Responsive Polymers; Temperature; Water
PubMed: 36144815
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27186082 -
Bioconjugate Chemistry Mar 2017As potent and selective therapeutic agents, peptides and proteins are an important class of drugs, but they typically have suboptimal pharmacokinetic profiles. One... (Review)
Review
As potent and selective therapeutic agents, peptides and proteins are an important class of drugs, but they typically have suboptimal pharmacokinetic profiles. One approach to solve this problem is their conjugation with "stealth" polymers. Conventional methods for conjugation of this class of polymers to peptides and proteins are typically carried out by reactions that have poor yield and provide limited control over the site of conjugation and the stoichiometry of the conjugate. To address these limitations, new chemical and biological approaches have been developed that provide new molecular tools in the bioconjugation toolbox to create stealth polymer conjugates of peptides and proteins with exquisite control over their properties. This review article highlights these recent advances in the synthesis of therapeutic peptide- and protein-stealth polymer conjugates.
Topics: Animals; Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic; Humans; Models, Molecular; Peptides; Polymers; Proteins
PubMed: 27998056
DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.6b00652 -
Chemosphere Dec 2023Atmospheric microplastics (MPs) have been sampled from coastal southwest England during twelve periods over a 42-day timeframe in late autumn. MPs were dominated by...
Atmospheric microplastics (MPs) have been sampled from coastal southwest England during twelve periods over a 42-day timeframe in late autumn. MPs were dominated by fibres, with foams, fragments and pellets also observed. The majority of fibres were identified as the semisynthetic polymer, rayon, while other shapes were dominated by various petroleum-based thermoplastics (including polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyamide and polyester) and paints. MP concentrations suspended in air ranged from 0.016 to 0.238 items per m but displayed no clear dependence on wind speed or direction. Total depositional fluxes ranged from 0.47 to 3.30 m h and showed no clear dependence on wind conditions or electrical conductivity of precipitation (as a measure of maritime influence). However, the concentration of deposited MPs in rainwater was inversely related to rainfall volume, suggesting that incipient precipitation acts to efficiently washout microplastics. A comparison of deposited and suspended MPs by size, shape and polymer type suggests that larger fibres constructed of rayon, polyamide and acrylic are preferentially removed from the atmosphere relative to smaller, non-fibrous MPs and particles constructed of polyester. A quantitative comparison of deposited and suspended MPs provided estimates of location- and environment-specific net settling velocities of between about 7 and 180 m h and corresponding residence times for an air column of 5000 m of between about 30 and 700 h. The findings of the study contribute to an improved understanding of the occurrence, transport and deposition of MPs in the atmosphere more generally.
Topics: Microplastics; Nylons; Plastics; Atmosphere; England; Polyesters; Polymers; Environmental Monitoring; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 37751808
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140258