Thermoresponsive copolymers functionalized with phototoxic fluorescent protein (or not) for tissue engineering and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy applications

• Grant number: 17/13120-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): November 01, 2017
• Effective date (End): October 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Henrique Catalani
• Grantee: Nayara Gabrielle Souza Cavalcante
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Medical devices containing biological properties as biocompatibility, in addition, similar physicochemical characteristics to the tissue defects or organ to be substituted or repaired still are problems present in the tissue-engineering field. In this context, based on the challenges in developing of efficient and manipulative bioactive-alloplastic materials, and which have similar properties to the extracellular matrix, this project aims to develop two types of thermoresponsive copolymers in the form of hydrogels: the first from biopolymers (alginate or chondroitin sulfate) grafted to Pluronic® F-127 (PF127) chains for future applications as scaffolds for tissue regeneration containing improved chemical, physical and biological properties compared with PF127; the second, biopolymers bioconjugated to phototoxic fluorescent protein, KillerRed, before the bioconjugates to be grafted to PF127, thereby phototoxic properties will be added to thermoresponsive copolymers make them materials potential candidates for future applications in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). (AU)