Synthetic polymers applied to biomaterials

• Grant number: 05/02855-7
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2006
• End date: February 28, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Henrique Catalani
• Grantee: Luiz Henrique Catalani
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Ana Campa ; Antônio Jedson Caldeira Brant ; Guilhermino José Macêdo Fechine ; Janaina Aline Galvao Barros ; Reginaldo Faichel da Silva ; Romeu Casarano ; Vânia Aparecida Blasques Bueno Silva
• Associated scholarship(s): 11/01164-1 - Degradation study of polyesters containing dianhydrohexitols obtained by enzymatic synthesis, BP.IC; 10/14720-7 - Production of aligned nanofibers from biodegradable polymers for growth and regeneration of neuronal cells, BP.MS; 08/07960-1 - Study of biomacromolecules immobilization onto polyester nanofiber, BP.MS; 08/06445-6 - New Biodegradable Polyesters by Enzymatic Synthesis: Use of Monomers Based on Renewable Sources., BP.PD

Abstract

Our group has invested in the development of technologies for hydrogel production that are of low cost, of easy access and that can produce nontoxic gels, intended to the production of dressings and other applications as biomaterials. As consequence of these studies, two patents recently have been deposited. We have devoted, also, to other synthetic polymer areas with prospect on its application as biomaterials. Moreover, the main researcher of this project (LHC) acquired specialized knowledge in the technique of polymer electrospinning and production of polyesters derived from dehydroalditols, during a sabbatical period (from 06/2004 to 07/2005) in the Medical Device Concept Laboratory of New Jersey Institute of Technology. The developed technologies of hydrogel production of PVP allow us to envisage new applications of these materials. Since it allows the almost instantaneous formation of the gel, we are considering its application as dressings where you can freely shape or mold, without a pre-established form, and that they can act as drug release devices, with antibacterial and antifungal functions. This opens the prospect for exploration of other intelligent dressings, combined with enzymatic action. In this in case, the production of gels of high porosity is necessary and we consider the use of electrospinning for generation of membranes in non-woven form (mat). The crosslinking after spinning of these mats should generate a firm hydrogel of high porosity, capable of being loaded with enzymatic activity. Alternatively, other types of drugs of high molecular weight could be integrated to these membranes. We intend to use these technologies in the production of micro and nanostructure materials. Nano particles can be obtained using several types of matrices. In this project, we will use vesicles and reverse micelles as formatting systems. The crosslinking of the immobilized gel within the water compartment will be carried out through Fenton reaction. Likewise, we will develop hydrogels of micrometric and sub-micrometric structure by imprinting in inert matrices through the crosslinking of PVP films using UV photolithography technique, defining the contour conditions and resolution limits of impression. In the area of polyesters, we are interest in two fields related to the development of implants: 1) biodegradable or bioerodable polyesters and 2) modification of (the surface of) polyesters of high performance (PET, PTT and PBT). In the first case, the focus is the modification of the poly (Iactic acid) system by copolymerization with dehydroalditols e diacids, biomass derived monomers. Initial tests in our group indicate that these materials show physical and chemical properties that point out to high biodegradation kinetics. This kind of property has great appeal in applications where the projection of the implant lifetime the must be critically controlled. In addition, our interests in high performance polyesters have been in its use as scaffold for cellular growth and grafts. Here, the surface properties of the material must be controlled in order to guarantee biocompatibility and durability. Since the materials here proposed are in its majority unknown and shall integrate biomedical devices, its interaction with active blood cells is essential tests to evaluate its viability as biomaterials. Counting on expertise of the Group of Macrophages Activation (AC - co-signatory), we plan to study the resulting events of the interaction of materials here produced with blood cells, such as monocytes and neutrophils, especially those related to cellular adhesion, differentiation and signaling. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

NAVES, ALLINY F.; FERNANDES, HENRIQUE T. C.; IMMICH, ANA P. S.; CATALANI, LUIZ H.. Enzymatic syntheses of unsaturated polyesters based on isosorbide and isomannide. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE PART A-POLYMER CHEMISTRY, v. 51, n. 18, p. 3881-3891, SEP 15 2013. (05/02855-7, 11/21442-6, 08/06445-6, 11/18017-1)

JUAIS, DANIELLE; NAVES, ALLINY F.; LI, CHONG; GROSS, RICHARD A.; CATALANI, LUIZ H.. Isosorbide Polyesters from Enzymatic Catalysis. MACROMOLECULES, v. 43, n. 24, p. 10315-10319, DEC 28 2010. (05/02855-7)

Filed patent(s) as a result of this research project