BIOFUSIN · Biocatalytic modification of functionalised surfaces and interfaces
FP6 — Marie Curie Actions (Human Resources and Mobility)
- Duration
- 2006-12-01 → 2008-09-30
- EU contribution
- €157,192
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- EIF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Final Activity Report Summary - BioFusin (Biocatalytic Modification of Functionalised Surfaces and Interfaces)
The principle aim of this project was to investigate the biocatalytic manipulation of surfaces and interfaces using the unique features of natural enzymes. These natural catalysts work with definitive precision, which that is required in the nanotechnology and biotechnology sectors. The ability to carry out these modifications and functionalisations in a controlled manner is thus of major importance to the biomedical and sensor industries. The platform used was a macroporous material known as polyHIPE. This was a highly porous material with a high surface area that could be swelled or used as a carrier material. We had great success in modifying the surfaces of these polyHIPEs by growing polymer layers from the surface, in our case layers ranging from 600 to 800 nm in depth. Unfortunately, further attempts to enzymatically catalyse the functionalisation reactions of molecules to the grafted polymers were unsuccessful. We did however successfully functionalise these materials with biomolecules, such as amino acids and small peptides, using a method known as click chemistry. These reactions were also carried out under mild conditions, primarily in water-based environments and with the minimum use of environmentally damaging chemicals. This in essence was a key goal target by the use of enzymes in the first place. In conclusion, we achieved what we set out to do by using a different approach than originally proposed but with an outcome that was the actual goal of the project. This work was innovative and as such resulted in a number of publications in major scientific journals.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
This project targets the development of new enzyme-based techniques for the polymeric modification of functionalised surfaces and interfaces. Enzymes are expected to play a major role in future material preparation due to the mild conditions and remarkable enantioselectivity. In its infancy in material science, biocatalysis is an emerging field in polymer chemistry and successful integration of both disciplines would exploit the advantages of enzymatic catalysis for novel well-defined materials. Stable polymer brushes covalently bonded on a silicon surface by chemical modification can provide excellent mechanical and chemical protection, alter the electrochemical characteristics, and provide new pathways for surface functionalisation.Micropatterned polymer brushes are of crucial importance to the development of biochips and biosensor. Controlled modification of surface functionality is a key feature in the development of chemically based nanotechnology. The ability to carry out biochemical reactions catalysed by enzymes with nanoscale precision at a surface is an important goal in the development of bottom-up nanomanufacturing. The principle aim of this project is to investigate the biocatalytic modification of functional surfaces/interfaces using the unique features of enzymes. Success in this area will be of significant interest to European industry.The ability to take this technology to the nanoscale will be novel research with high risk counterbalanced by high reward for both the biomedical, pharmaceutical and ICT industries in Europe. The approach is highly innovative and interdisciplinary and the knowledge required can only be achieved by bringing together the mutual skill-sets of the host and the applicant with the extremely high level training environment at the Technical University Eindhoven.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT EINDHOVEN · EINDHOVENCoordinatorNetherlands
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union