Production and characterization of biopolymer multilayers nanostructures by Layer-by-layer technique and agent incorporation for bioengineering applications

• Grant number: 09/16531-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2010
• End date: August 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Bioengineering
• Principal Investigator: Marisa Masumi Beppu
• Grantee: Marisa Masumi Beppu
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The development of techniques that allows the manipulation of matter at nanoscale has an important role in the current technical-scientific scenario. The Layer-by-Layer (LbL) technique is one of the methods that allows for the construction of sophisticated nanostructured multilayers, composed of various materials, through a relatively simple procedure. The variations of the LbL technique currently explored include: the deposition of multilayers on a substrate by the alternate immersion in solutions - the method mostly studied today - and the new and promising variation of the method, which is the production of multilayers through spraying of the constituent solutions onto a substrate surface. Through the LbL technique is it possible to coat and functionalize surfaces with films with thickness in the order of nanometers, and their applications range from bioengineering to material and chemical engineering areas. The present project aims to apply the two methods of thin film production by the LbL technique to synthesize, functionalize and characterize various nanoarchitectures (nanofilms, nanotubes e nanorods) utilizing biopolymers and incorporating bioactive agents, staining reagents and magnetic nanoparticles. The biopolymers that will be used for the formation of the thin film multilayers include chitosan, alginate and hyaluronic acid. Our objective is to tune the release of bioactive agents and staining reagents, by varying the conformational structure of the films, and to analyze the release of these components in simulated body fluids. The magnetic nanoparticles will be incorporated in the multilayered films to confer additional functionality. From a systematic study of process variables, such as pH, ionic strength, and type of biopolymer, among others, that affect the films architecture and properties, we intend to contribute to the emerging research on the LbL technique at UNICAMP and at national and international levels. (AU)