Charge distribution on green fluorescence protein (GFP) loaded on 3D PCL fiber mat studied by theoretical simulation techniques

• Grant number: 18/13868-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: September 16, 2018
• End date: October 15, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Henrique Catalani
• Grantee: Elayaraja Kolanthai
• Supervisor: Bradley Olsen
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 15/19694-8 - Bioactivity of multi-layer membranes loaded with various protein markers for tissue engineering applications, BP.PD

Abstract

The recent demonstration of the production of signaling factor reservoirs formed by the self-assembly LbL (layer-by-layer) of polyelectrolyte multilayers has opened new possibilities in tissue engineering. This project is aimed at the assessment of charge distribution of loaded proteins on LbL reservoirs, built on to biodegradable and bioabsorbable polymeric membranes. Electrospun 3D scaffold will be coated by self-assembly LbL technique through the deposition of polyelectrolytes pairs such as heparin sulfate, and chitosan. Engineered green fluorescence proteins (GFP) of a distinct isoelectric point will be expressed and incorporated, while the dynamics of its release from LbL constructs will be studied. Simultaneously, their charge distribution will be calculated, as well as the coacervates formed with the chosen polyelectrolytes. This study will help understand the surface charge role on the loading and protein diffusion from LbL assembly. Hence, the GFP loaded multilayered scaffolds are expected to function as model reservoirs for other signaling proteins such as BMP-7, PDGF, and VEGF.