POLYSELF · Functionalization of polysaccharide-based biomaterials and development of supramolecular materials using self-assembling peptides
FP6 — Marie Curie Actions (Human Resources and Mobility)
- Duration
- 2006-10-01 → 2008-04-30
- EU contribution
- €241,704
- Participants
- 2
- Scheme
- OIF
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Results in brief
Final Activity Report Summary - POLYSELF (Functionalization of polysaccharide-based biomaterials and development of supramolecular materials using self-assembling peptides)
Within the scope of POLYSELF project a remarkable discovery was made on self-assembly of macromolecules and small molecules across the scales. Under specific conditions, instant self-assembly between two components, a viscous liquid containing charged macromolecules, such as hyaluronic acid (HA) and a second liquid containing small peptide molecules of opposite charge, occurred at the liquid-liquid interface and could result in the formation of self-sealing sacs and membranes of arbitrary size and shape. The two liquids should mix rapidly upon contact but, surprisingly, solid materials with structural order formed instantly upon contact at their interface. The self-assembled structures grew further to macroscopic dimensions with a high degree of hierarchical order and could take many interesting forms. In one example, the fast initiation of the ordered structures allowed for the formation of films taking the arbitrary shape of the cross section at the liquid-liquid interface. In another example, the initially formed films could buckle and sink into one liquid refreshing the interface and leading to the formation of a self-closing sac. These hybrid materials were mechanically robust and could even be sutured to tissues, were permeable to proteins and could support cell viability and function. Furthermore, in these sacs, a large defect could be instantly repaired by exposure to solutions of the small molecules. Their unique structural and physical characteristics offered significant potential in cell therapies, drug diagnostics and regenerative medicine applications. Such sacs might be used as controlled environments for cell expansion, stem cell differentiation or bio-signalling studies, acting as a kind of mini cell biology lab. A major advantage was the potential ability to organise cells into unique tissue structures.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
One of the most challenging goals in the field of materials science is the discovery of structures with surprising properties or functionality based on designed molecules that self-organise. These structures are held together by relatively weak non-covalent interactions and thus might be easily reconfigurable into a variety of morphologies.A promising starting point for the synthesis of such structures seems to be the use of templates made of organic molecules that arrange themselves into highly organized nanostructures and may direct the cells to attach, proliferate and selectively differentiate, by providing them signalling domains that regulate their function. This will allow the development biomaterials that are not only biocompatible and biodegradable, they can present guidance to cells. The design of self-assembling molecules that mimic complex biological structures hold promise for the development of novel multifunctional biomaterials that could lead to real breakthroughs in tissue repair and regeneration.In the spirit of the Marie Curie OIF, this research project aims to provide an unique prospect and an excellent training programme for an European researcher to develop her investigation, in the areas of self-assembly, templating chemistry and biomaterials, by gathering two leading research institutions in the field. The research work will be developed at the Northwestern U. (Prof. Stupp, USA) in the outgoing phase and at the U. of Minho (Prof. Reis, Portugal) in the return phase.The researcher will have the opportunity to go to a third country established research centre to acquire new skills and knowledge, professional maturity and independence, enhanced inter/multi-displinarity qualities, while broadening her international research experience. This is turn will foster the links between European and third countries' researchers and will contribute for the development of abundant and dynamic world-class human resources in the European Research system.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSIDADE DO MINHO · BRAGACoordinatorPortugal
- NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY'S INSTITUTE FOR BIONANOTECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE · CHICAGO - ILLINOISCity levelUnited States
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union