We are interested in the design of functional polymers, macromolecular assemblies, and surfaces/interfaces that address problems of biotechnological and biomedical importance. The first part of this presentation will describe work on the design of degradable polymer multilayers as coatings for the surface-mediated delivery of bioactive agents, with a focus on (i) fundamental aspects of design and characterization, and (ii) the design of 'multilayered' coatings that promote local transfer of therapeutic DNA and affect beneficial physiological responses in vivo. These approaches make use of conventional approaches to layer-by-layer assembly that exploit weak interactions between polyelectrolytes. We have also developed methods for the 'reactive' assembly of polymer multilayers that exploit fast reactions between mutually reactive polymers and, thus, lead to surface coatings that are covalently crosslinked. The second part of this presentation will describe the design of azlactone-functionalized multilayers as physically stable but chemically reactive platforms for the fabrication and selective functionalization of biointerfaces for applications in controlled release, the control of cell/substrate interactions, and the design of patterned superhydrophobic surfaces of potential utility in new biotechnological contexts. 

Design of stable, unstable, and reactive biointerfaces: A "multilayered" approach

246th National Meeting (2013)

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