Microgels are weakly cross-linked polymer colloids, which can be made responsive to various stimuli. In the context of drug delivery, microgels are of particular interest as carriers for biomacromolecular drugs, such as peptides and proteins, offering both protection against enzymatic degradation and triggered release. While microgel suspensions are becoming increasingly understood, much less is known about surface-bound microgels. Addressing this, we here report properties of electrostatically triggered surface-bound microgels, as well as their use as delivery systems for antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). In doing so, we investigate effects of microgel charge density, pH, and ionic strength on microgel volume transitions at surfaces, surface-induced microgel deformation and nanomechanical properties, as well as consequences thereof for peptide loading and release, using a battery of experimental techniques, including AFM PeakForce QNM,  QCM-D, ellipsometry, and confocal and cryoTEM microscopy.

Peptide loaded microgels as antimicrobial surface coatings

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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