””Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry Chemistry

Grigore Ghica Voda Alley No 41 A, Iasi, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley No 41 A, Iasi, Romania Romania

Project No 254/1.10.2015   Code Project: PNII-Project No 254/1.10.2015   Code Project: PNII-RU-TE-2014-4-0294 RU-TE-2014-4-0294

SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL HYDROGELS WITH SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL HYDROGELS WITH DEFINED 3D CHARACTERISTICS AND DEFINED 3D CHARACTERISTICS AND

BIODEGRADABILITY PRESENTATION FOR BIODEGRADABILITY PRESENTATION FOR BIOAPPLICATIONS BIOAPPLICATIONS

Project leader:Project leader: LOREDANA ELENA NIŢĂ LOREDANA ELENA NIŢĂ e-mail: e-mail: lnazarie@yahoo.co.uklnazarie@yahoo.co.uk

ABSTRACTABSTRACT

The proposed research is a technological approach on The proposed research is a technological approach on obtaining new hydrogels from functional polymeric materials obtaining new hydrogels from functional polymeric materials and their use in nanoscale devices. Spontaneous assembly of and their use in nanoscale devices. Spontaneous assembly of macromolecular compounds in aqueous medium, extensive macromolecular compounds in aqueous medium, extensive exemplified in nature by amphiphilic compounds, is the most exemplified in nature by amphiphilic compounds, is the most promising technological bottom-up approach for obtaining promising technological bottom-up approach for obtaining functional materials to be used for encapsulation and functional materials to be used for encapsulation and controlled release of biologically active molecules in controlled release of biologically active molecules in medicine, food and agro-chemistry industry, for adsorption medicine, food and agro-chemistry industry, for adsorption and pre-concentration of toxic organic compounds and heavy and pre-concentration of toxic organic compounds and heavy metal ions in wastewater treatment and environmental metal ions in wastewater treatment and environmental monitoring, or as templates for nano-electronic devices. In monitoring, or as templates for nano-electronic devices. In this context, we intend to create selective surfaces and this context, we intend to create selective surfaces and interfaces presented by a number of polymers and gels interfaces presented by a number of polymers and gels respectively, which will have new features and capabilities.respectively, which will have new features and capabilities.

PURPOSEPURPOSE• The project aims to develop new strategies for The project aims to develop new strategies for

self assembled complex preparation based on self assembled complex preparation based on polymers of natural and synthetic origin. The polymers of natural and synthetic origin. The challenge is to have polymer matrix with challenge is to have polymer matrix with intrinsic capability for gel formation, stimuli intrinsic capability for gel formation, stimuli sensitive response, and functionality for sensitive response, and functionality for coupling specific compounds. The new prepared coupling specific compounds. The new prepared and investigated systems will be constituted and investigated systems will be constituted from supramolecular hydrogels formed as from supramolecular hydrogels formed as result of self-assembly process between a 3D result of self-assembly process between a 3D chemically crosslinked macromolecular network chemically crosslinked macromolecular network structure and another polymeric compound structure and another polymeric compound which brings to systemwhich brings to system supplementary supplementary functional groups to improve the coupling functional groups to improve the coupling capacity, and specific properties as for example capacity, and specific properties as for example biodegradability in specific environmentbiodegradability in specific environment. .

Main ObjectiveMain Objective

The main goal of the research project is The main goal of the research project is to prepare novel hydrogels with to prepare novel hydrogels with defined 3D characteristics and defined 3D characteristics and biodegradability presentation for biodegradability presentation for bioapplications.bioapplications. This activity will be This activity will be carried out both from a fundamental as carried out both from a fundamental as well applied standpoint, using a well applied standpoint, using a multidisciplinary approach.multidisciplinary approach.

Scientific and Scientific and Technological ObjectivesTechnological Objectives

The proposed scientific and technological objectives of this project follow a The proposed scientific and technological objectives of this project follow a bottom-up approach involving:bottom-up approach involving:3D polymeric matrix preparation3D polymeric matrix preparation, , the the fundamental understanding fundamental understanding of the supramolecular self-assembly of the supramolecular self-assembly between 3D matrix and a biocompatible/biodegradable polymer, between 3D matrix and a biocompatible/biodegradable polymer, their their characterisation characterisation in terms of structure in terms of structure vs vs function using common and function using common and advanced techniques, advanced techniques, forming derivativesforming derivatives of self assembled structures with specific compounds of self assembled structures with specific compounds (bioactive compounds for example) followed by (bioactive compounds for example) followed by their their implementation implementation as hybrid nanostructured materials, as hybrid nanostructured materials, as well as their as well as their development development towards specific applications. towards specific applications. At the same time, during the project development will be established At the same time, during the project development will be established

(a) the mechanisms for inducing self-assembling at the nanoscale at surfaces (a) the mechanisms for inducing self-assembling at the nanoscale at surfaces and interfaces to give new systems; and interfaces to give new systems;

(b) it will be created macroscale multifunctional interfaces with precise (b) it will be created macroscale multifunctional interfaces with precise chemical properties, and chemical properties, and

(c) it will be developed the chemical and physical control for the responsive (c) it will be developed the chemical and physical control for the responsive devices.devices.

Estimative resultsEstimative resultsDesign vectors for 3D systems preparation; Design vectors for 3D systems preparation; Preparation of 3D polymeric systems responsible to external Preparation of 3D polymeric systems responsible to external stimuli and ability for gelation; stimuli and ability for gelation; Gels preparation on the basis of 3D polymeric systems;Gels preparation on the basis of 3D polymeric systems;Design vectors for self-assembling (SA) systems; Design vectors for self-assembling (SA) systems; Gels preparation on the basis of interpenetrated polymer Gels preparation on the basis of interpenetrated polymer structures;structures;Characterization of the new polymeric compounds to sustain the Characterization of the new polymeric compounds to sustain the design and synthesis of the innovative SA supramolecular design and synthesis of the innovative SA supramolecular systems;systems;Design vectors for hybrid systems preparation; Design vectors for hybrid systems preparation; Preparation of hybrid complexes to be used for biomedical Preparation of hybrid complexes to be used for biomedical applications; applications; Characterization and testing of the prepared hybrid systems.Characterization and testing of the prepared hybrid systems.

Phase 1/2015Phase 1/2015

Synthesis of novel multifunctional Synthesis of novel multifunctional macromolecular systems.macromolecular systems. Preparation of a novel 3D polymeric structure - Preparation of a novel 3D polymeric structure -

part 1part 1

Phase 1/2015Phase 1/2015

Results:Results:

(1) Design vectors for 3D system (1) Design vectors for 3D system preparation; preparation;

(2) Preparation of 3D polymeric system (2) Preparation of 3D polymeric system responsible to external stimuli and ability responsible to external stimuli and ability for gelation – preliminary phase. for gelation – preliminary phase.

Phase 1/2015Phase 1/2015

Dissemination: Dissemination: L. E. Nita, A. P. Chiriac, L. E. Nita, A. P. Chiriac, E. Stoleru, A. Diaconu, N. Tudorachi, E. Stoleru, A. Diaconu, N. Tudorachi, Tailorable Polyelectrolyte Protein Complex Tailorable Polyelectrolyte Protein Complex Based on Poly(aspartic acid) and Bovine Based on Poly(aspartic acid) and Bovine Serum Albumin, submitted for evaluationSerum Albumin, submitted for evaluation