Project

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Functional surfaces through immobilization of nanoreactors and biomimetic block copolymer membranes

English title Functional surfaces through immobilization of nanoreactors and biomimetic block copolymer membranes
Applicant Meier Wolfgang
Number 126099
Funding scheme NRP 62 Smart Materials
Research institution Physikalische Chemie Departement Chemie Universität Basel
Institution of higher education University of Basel - BS
Main discipline Material Sciences
Start/End 01.01.2010 - 31.12.2014
Approved amount 599'708.00
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Keywords (8)

amphiphilic block copolymers; biomimetic polymer membrane; polymer vesicle; polymer nanoreactors; supported membranes; biosensors; local drug delivery; surface initiated polymerization

Lay Summary (English)

Lead
Lay summary
Functional biomimetic surfaces

Block copolymer membranes immobilized at solid surfaces and nanoreactors will be developed that provide a basis for new types of responsive biosensor systems with enhanced stability and active surfaces that allow the local production of bioactive compounds.

Background
Current biosensor devices are frequently based on supported lipid bilayers or liposomes. However, drawbacks such as reduced stability and “adaptability” limit technical applications of lipid-based models. Here, amphiphilic block copolymers offer an attractive alternative. Their macromolecular nature allows implementation of different functionalities into one molecule without affecting its basic ability to selfassemble into well-defined membrane structures.

Aim
The main target of the project is to develop tools for a controlled immobilisation of polymer nanoreactors and biomimetic block copolymer membranes on solid supports. This leads to new types of “smart” surfaces that allow for biosensing combined with signal transduction or amplification, and that can be used for the local production of “functional” molecules. In addition, a controlled activation/deactivation of the surfaces will be explored by using responsive polymers.

Significance
Synthetic membranes comprise a generic platform for membrane protein insertion and, thus, for creating new biosensors. In this project, we will address some of the basic limitations of currently existing biosensor systems arising from their limited mechanical and chemical stability. Here, immobilised block copolymer membranes and polymer nanoreactors could open a door to more robust biosensor prototypes that potentially allow long-term storage, air-stability or even multiple reuse. A particularly appealing aspect arises from the fact that the proposed approach also allows controlled chemical reactions at surfaces that could be used to locally produce bioactive compounds or degrade toxic substances.

Application
The project aims at the development of new and more robust biosensor platforms with enhanced sensitivity and the potential for multiple use as diagnostic systems for biomedical, food-related and environmental needs. In addition, novel active surfaces can reduce the number of costly and debilitating infections in context with orthopedic implants.
Direct link to Lay Summary Last update: 21.02.2013

Responsible applicant and co-applicants

Employees

Publications

Publication
A general strategy for creating self-defending surfaces for controlled drug production for long periods of time
Langowska K. Kowal J. Palivan C.G. Meier W. (2014), A general strategy for creating self-defending surfaces for controlled drug production for long periods of time, in J. Mat. Chem.B, 2, 4684-4693.
Functional Surface Engineering by Nucleotide-Modulated Potassium Channel Insertion into Polymer Membranes Attached to Solid Supports
Kowal J. Wu D. PalivanC.G. Stahlberg H. Meier W. (2014), Functional Surface Engineering by Nucleotide-Modulated Potassium Channel Insertion into Polymer Membranes Attached to Solid Supports, in Biomaterials, 35, 7286-7294.
Functional surface engineering by nucleotide-modulated potassium channel insertion into polymer membranes attached to solid supports
Kowal J. L., Kowal J. K., Wu D., Stahlberg H., Palivan C. G., Meier W. (2014), Functional surface engineering by nucleotide-modulated potassium channel insertion into polymer membranes attached to solid supports, in Biomaterials, 35, 7286-7294.
Membranes Based on Amphiphilic Block Copolymers
Kowal Justyna, Zhang Xiaoyan, Dinu I. A., Palivan Cornelia P., Meier Wolfgang (2014), Membranes Based on Amphiphilic Block Copolymers, in ACS Macro Letters, 3, 59-63.
pH-Response PDMS-b-PDMAEMA Micelles for Intracellular Anticancer Drug Delivery
Car A. Baumann P. Duskey J.T. Chami M. Bruns N. Meier W. (2014), pH-Response PDMS-b-PDMAEMA Micelles for Intracellular Anticancer Drug Delivery, in Biomacromolecules, 15(9), 3235-3245.
Planar biomimetic Membranes based on Amphiphilic Block Copolymers
J. Kowal X. Zhang I.A Dinu C.G. Palivan W. Meier (2014), Planar biomimetic Membranes based on Amphiphilic Block Copolymers, in ACS Macro Lett., 2014(3), 59-63.
Poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based polymersome nanoreactors for laccase-catalized biotransformations
SpulberM. Baumann P. Saxer S. Pieles U.Meier W. Bruns N. (2014), Poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based polymersome nanoreactors for laccase-catalized biotransformations, in Biomacromolecules, 15(4), 1469-1475.
Fluorescence-Based Assay for the Optimization of Artificial Transfer Hydrogenase Activity within a Biocompatible Compartment
Heinisch Tillmann, Langowska Karolina, Tanner Pascal, Reymond Jean-Louis, Palivan Cornelia, Ward Thomas (2013), Fluorescence-Based Assay for the Optimization of Artificial Transfer Hydrogenase Activity within a Biocompatible Compartment, in ChemCatChem, 5(3), 720-723.
Light-responsive polymer nanoreactors: a source of reactive oxygen species on demand
Patric Baumann, Vimalkumar Balasubramanian, Ozana Onaca-Fischer, Andrzej Sienkiewicz, Cornelia Palivan (2013), Light-responsive polymer nanoreactors: a source of reactive oxygen species on demand, in Nanoscale, 5, 217-224.
Natural channel protein inserts and functions in a completely artificial, solid-supported bilayer membrane
Zhang Xiaoyan, Fu Wangyang, Palivan Cornelia, Meier Wolfgang (2013), Natural channel protein inserts and functions in a completely artificial, solid-supported bilayer membrane, in Scientific Reports, 3(2196), 1-7.
POLYMER NANOREACTORS
Edlinger Christoph, Zhang Xiaoyan, Fischer-Onaca Ozana, Palivan Cornelia (2013), POLYMER NANOREACTORS, in Mark Herman F. (ed.), John Wiley & Sons, Europe, 1-31.
Polymer nanoreactors shown to produce and release antibiotics locally
Langowska Karolina, Palivan Cornelia, Meier Wolfgang (2013), Polymer nanoreactors shown to produce and release antibiotics locally, in Chemical Communications, 49(2), 128-130.
Protein–Polymer Supramolecular Assemblies: A Key Combination for Multifunctionality
Cornelia Palivan, Xiaoyan Zhang, Wolfgang Meier (2013), Protein–Polymer Supramolecular Assemblies: A Key Combination for Multifunctionality, in Chimia, 87, 791-795.
Water-Soluble Co(III) Complexes of Substituted Phenanthrolines with Cell Selective Anticancer Activity
Sivaraman Jagadeesan, Vimalkumar Balasubramanian, Patric Baumann, Markus Neuburger, Daniel Häussinger, Cornelia Palivan (2013), Water-Soluble Co(III) Complexes of Substituted Phenanthrolines with Cell Selective Anticancer Activity, in Inorganic Chemistry, 52, 12535-12544.
Mimicking the cell membrane with block copolymer membranes
Zhang XY, Tanner P, Graff A, Palivan CG, Meier W (2012), Mimicking the cell membrane with block copolymer membranes, in JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE PART A-POLYMER CHEMISTRY, 50(12), 2293-2318.
Protein-polymer nanoreactors for medical applications
Palivan CG, Fischer-Onaca O, Delcea M, Itel F, Meier W (2012), Protein-polymer nanoreactors for medical applications, in CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS, 41(7), 2800-2823.
Stimuli-responsive polymers and their applications in nanomedicine.
Cabane Etienne, Zhang Xiaoyan, Langowska Karolina, Palivan Cornelia G, Meier Wolfgang (2012), Stimuli-responsive polymers and their applications in nanomedicine., in Biointerphases, 7(1-4), 9-9.
Bio-Decorated Polymer Membranes: A New Approach in Diagnostics and Therapeutics
Baumann Patric, Tanner Pascal, Onaca Ozana, Palivan Cornelia (2011), Bio-Decorated Polymer Membranes: A New Approach in Diagnostics and Therapeutics, in Polymers, 3, 173-192.
Polymeric Vesicles: From Drug Carriers to Nanoreactors and Artificial Organelles
Tanner Pascal, Baumann Patric, Enea Ramona, Onaca Ozana, Palivan Cornelia, Meier Wolfgang (2011), Polymeric Vesicles: From Drug Carriers to Nanoreactors and Artificial Organelles, in Accounts of chemical research , 44(10), 1039-1049.
Selective and Responsive Nanoreactors
Renggli Kasper, Baumann Patric, Langowska Karolina, Onaca Ozana, Bruns Nico, Meier Wolfgang (2011), Selective and Responsive Nanoreactors, in Advanced Functional Materials , 21(7), 1241-1259.
Protein–Polymer Supramolecular
Palivan Cornelia, Zhang Xiaoyan, Meier Wolfgang, Protein–Polymer Supramolecular, in Chimia, 87(11), 791-795.
Reduction-sensitive amphiphilic triblock copolymers self-assemble into stimuli-responsive micelles for drug delivery
Toughrai S., Malinova V., Masciadri R., Menon S., Tanner P., Palivan C., Bruns N., Meier W., Reduction-sensitive amphiphilic triblock copolymers self-assemble into stimuli-responsive micelles for drug delivery, in Macromolecular Bioscience, 1.

Scientific events

Active participation

Title Type of contribution Title of article or contribution Date Place Persons involved
SSSTC Workshop “Bioinspired Surfaces & Materials: Recent developments, technical breakthroughs and translation to application” Individual talk Polymer membranes decorated with proteins as functional bio-nanosystems and biofunctional surfaces 01.09.2014 Zürich, Switzerland Zhang Xiaoyan;
6th International Symposium on Polymer Chemistry Individual talk Biomimetic Block Copolymer Membranes and Immobilized Nanoreactors for Medical Applications 05.06.2014 Shanghai, China Meier Wolfgang; Zhang Xiaoyan;
DPG spring meeting in Dresden Individual talk Biomimetic Solid-supported Polymer Bilayer Incorporated with Membrane Proteins 01.04.2014 Dresden, Germany Meier Wolfgang; Zhang Xiaoyan;
Swiss Chemical Society Fall Meeting Talk given at a conference Functionalized surfaces through biomimetic block copolymer membranes 13.09.2013 Zurich, Switzerland Toughrai Smahan; Meier Wolfgang;
SCS Fall Meeting Poster Polymer nanoreactors as an efficient source of radicals „on demand“ for photodynamic therapy“ 06.09.2013 Lausanne, Switzerland Baumann Patric;
Swiss Chemical Society Fall Meeting 2013 Poster Natural channel protein inserts and functions in an artificial, solid-supported bilayer membrane 06.09.2013 Lausanne, Switzerland Meier Wolfgang;
Swiss Chemical Society Fall Meeting Poster Functional surfaces through biomimetic block copolymer membranes 06.09.2013 Lausanne, Switzerland Meier Wolfgang; Toughrai Smahan;
4th EucheMS Talk given at a conference Functional surfaces through biomimetic block copolymer membranes 26.08.2013 Prague, Czech Republic Meier Wolfgang; Toughrai Smahan;
EPF 2013 Talk given at a conference Stimulus-responsive polymer nanoreactor for efficient photodynamic therapy 16.06.2013 Pisa, Italy Baumann Patric;
PolyColl Poster Synthesis and Self-assembly of Methacrylate-based Amphiphilic, Redox-Sensitive Block Copolymers 07.06.2013 Basel, Switzerland Meier Wolfgang; Toughrai Smahan;
PolyColl Poster Natural channel protein inserts and functions in an artificial, solid-supported bilayer membrane 07.06.2013 Basel, Switzerland Meier Wolfgang;
PolyColl Poster Polymeric nanoreactors for medical applications 07.06.2013 Basel, Switzerland Meier Wolfgang; Baumann Patric;
Swiss Soft Days XI Poster Functional surfaces through biomimetic block copolymer membranes 04.06.2013 Basel, Switzerland Toughrai Smahan; Meier Wolfgang;
NRP 62 kick-off meeting 2nd Talk given at a conference Functional surfaces through immobilization of nanoreactors and biomimetic block copolymer membranes 30.05.2013 Muntelier, Switzerland Meier Wolfgang;
NanoConvention Poster Natural channel protein inserts and functions in an artificial, solid-supported bilayer membrane 23.05.2013 Basel, Switzerland Meier Wolfgang;
i-net Next Nanostar Poster Efficient Photodynamic Therapy via Polymer Nanoreactors 21.03.2013 Basel, Switzerland Baumann Patric; Meier Wolfgang;
Macromolecular Colloquium Poster Biomimetic Solid-supported Polymer Bilayer Incorporated with Membrane Proteins 21.02.2013 Freiburg, Germany Meier Wolfgang;
Rigi Workshop Poster Biomimetic Solid-supported Polymer Bilayer Incorporated with Membrane Proteins 20.01.2013 Rigi, Switzerland Meier Wolfgang;
Swiss Soft Says 9th Edition Poster Probing Membrane Proteins Incorporation into A Biomimetic Solid-supported Polymer Bilayer 18.10.2012 Lausanne, Switzerland Meier Wolfgang;
4th EucheMS Talk given at a conference Functionalized surfaces through biomimetic block copolymer membranes 26.08.2012 Prague, Czech Repuplic, Czech Republic Toughrai Smahan;
Swiss Soft Days VIII Poster Synthesis and Self-assembly of Methacrylate-based Amphiphilic, Redox-Sensitive Block Copolymers 01.06.2012 Geneva, Switzerland Meier Wolfgang; Toughrai Smahan;
8th Swiss soft Days Workshop Talk given at a conference Nanoreactors for in situ Photodynamic Therapy 01.06.2012 University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland, Switzerland Baumann Patric;
Swiss Nanoconvention Poster Efficient Photodynamic Therapy via Polymer Nanoreactors 23.05.2012 Lausanne, Switzerland, Switzerland Baumann Patric;
SNF meeting, project NRP62 Smart Materials Poster Functionalized surfaces through immobilization of nanoreactors and biomimetic block copolymer membranes 11.05.2012 SNF, Bern, Switzerland, Switzerland Toughrai Smahan; Meier Wolfgang; Baumann Patric;
7th Swiss Soft Days Workshop Poster Solid-supported planar polymer membranes 13.02.2012 EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland, Switzerland Meier Wolfgang;
Russian-Swiss collaboration, meeting with Prof. Marcus Textor Individual talk Functional biomimetic surfaces 13.12.2011 Basel, Switzerland, University of Basel, Switzerland Baumann Patric; Toughrai Smahan; Meier Wolfgang;
1st P2M Networking Conference- Precision Polymer Materials Poster Solid-Supported Biomimetic Block Copolymer Membranes 11.12.2011 Obernai, France, France Toughrai Smahan;
CCMX Workshop Advanced Course, AFM Theory and Practice Individual talk Workshop 10.11.2011 EMPA, Dèbendorf, Switzerland, Switzerland Toughrai Smahan; Baumann Patric;
NRP Smart Materials: Annual Meeting 2011 Talk given at a conference Enzymatic cascade reaction inside polymeric nanocontainers 15.09.2011 University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland, Switzerland Toughrai Smahan; Baumann Patric; Meier Wolfgang;
Swiss Chemical Society Meeting Poster Biomimetic Block Copolymer Membranes for Functionalized Surfaces 09.09.2011 Lausanne, Switzerland, Switzerland Toughrai Smahan;
NRP 62 nanocontainers meeting Talk given at a conference Nanoreactors for enzymatic conversion 22.08.2011 Fribourg, Switzerland, Switzerland Toughrai Smahan; Baumann Patric;
European Polymer Congress Poster Biomimetic Block Copolymer Membranes for Functionalized Surfaces 26.06.2011 Granada, Spain, Spain Toughrai Smahan;
Interdisciplinary training for young scientists in material sciences “Growth and dissolution of solids on the molecular, cellular and atomic scale” Individual talk Workshop 25.05.2011 University of Lugano, Lugano, Switzerland, Switzerland Toughrai Smahan; Baumann Patric;
PolyColl, Annual conference is organized by the Division of Polymers and Colloids of the Swiss Chemical Society Poster In situ Synthesis of Antibiotics inside Nanoreactors 29.04.2011 University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland, Switzerland Meier Wolfgang;
Evaluation meeting of the NRP 62 project with Prof. Louis Schlapbach and Dr. Stefan Husi Individual talk Fonctional biomimetic surfaces 20.01.2011 University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland, Switzerland Meier Wolfgang; Baumann Patric; Toughrai Smahan;
3rd Swiss Soft Days Workshop Poster Protein gates allow in situ enzymatic reaction in polymer nanocompartments: Towardas synthetic organelles 20.10.2010 University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland, Switzerland Baumann Patric; Meier Wolfgang;
3rd International NanoBio Conference Poster Solid-Supported Biomimetic Block Copolymer Membranes 24.08.2010 ETH Zurich, Switzerland, Switzerland Toughrai Smahan;
NRP 62 Kick-off meeting Talk given at a conference Functional surfaces through immobilization of nanoreactors and biomimetic block copolymer membranes 22.04.2010 Murten, Switzerland, Switzerland Toughrai Smahan; Baumann Patric; Meier Wolfgang;


Self-organised

Title Date Place
5th Swiss Soft Days Workshop 08.06.2011 University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland, Switzerland

Knowledge transfer events

Active participation

Title Type of contribution Date Place Persons involved
Scientific meeting Roche AG Talk 06.09.2012 Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland Meier Wolfgang;
Hanover Messe Talk 23.04.2012 Hannover, Germany, Switzerland Meier Wolfgang;
Research in Nanoscience Global Conectivity Talk 17.04.2012 Basel, Switzerland Meier Wolfgang;
Scientific meeting- Institut Straumann AG Talk 26.01.2012 Basel University, Switzerland Meier Wolfgang;


Communication with the public

Communication Title Media Place Year
Talks/events/exhibitions Science Slam 2013 German-speaking Switzerland 2013
Talks/events/exhibitions Sicence Slam No. 2 Basel German-speaking Switzerland 2012
Talks/events/exhibitions Weltenreise German-speaking Switzerland 2011

Associated projects

Number Title Start Funding scheme
131884 Nanostructured Polymers 01.10.2010 Project funding
150059 Nanostructured Polymers 01.10.2013 Project funding

Abstract

The main target of the project is the development of tools that allow a controlled immobilization of polymer nanoreactors and responsive, biomimetic block copolymer membranes on solid supports. This leads to new types of smart surfaces that allow to combine biosensing with signal transduction or amplification and that can be used for the local production/synthesis of “functional” molecules. In addition, covalently immobilized block copolymer membranes with responsiveness to certain stimuli could allow a controlled/triggered activation/deactivation: i.e. conformational changes (induced by temperature, pH change or mechanical deformations) of supported polymer chains will be used to control interaction of embedded receptors.
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