Formation of biomimetic coatings capable of protecting cells, retaining their survivability and function, providing attachment with selective transport of molecules is a primary objective for many biotechnology applications. The layer-by-layer (LbL) approach is an attractive method for engineering cell surfaces of individual cells that grants control over many of the issues mentioned above. We have explored the formation of soft hydrogel network shells on the basis of hydrogen-bonded interactions between natural polyphenols and neutral polymers, as well as lightly crosslinked pH-sensitive hydrogel network based on amine-bearing poly(methacrylic acid). Increased viability (85-95%) of yeast cells without loss of cell function makes these polymer-based shells attractive candidates for many cell-based applications. All-natural, biocompatible, highly stable conformal shells based on unmodified silk fibroin protein as well as silk fibroin functionalized with polyamino acids provided additional advantages for sustained long-term performance of cell-based sensors. We explored the formation of silk-based shells with different chemistries of interactions, such as electrostatic factors between ionomer silk derivatives, and intrarmolecular hydrogen bonding between �-sheets of pure silk protein induced by the treatment with mild concentrations of buffer. Viability and cell function greatly affected by the cell type and the chemistry of interactions used for encapsulation.

Layer-by-layer approach for individual encapsulation of cells based on hydrogen-bonded, complimentary electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions

247th National Meeting (2014)

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