Development of biocompatible nanocomposites with enhanced properties for biomedical devices

这项NSERC DG研究计划旨在开发一种新的、可行的制备工艺，以制备具有增强性能的水凝胶纳米复合材料。目前纳米复合材料面临的挑战包括：(1)由于许多化学分子的相互作用而导致的生物相容性不佳；(2)由于无机相和有机相之间的界面不可控而导致的不理想的物理性能。申请者的长期研究目标是开发用于生物化学和生物医学应用的生物兼容纳米复合材料设备的新技术，包括生物芯片、生物成像和生物传感器。我们之前的研究结果表明，由无机纳米颗粒和pH敏感水凝胶组成的水凝胶纳米复合材料，由于其改善的生物相容性和非凡的物理性能，在局部药物输送、非侵入性诊断和快速捕获微生物方面具有巨大的潜力。在接下来的五年里，申请人将结合物理和化学技术来生产先进的水凝胶纳米复合材料。利用近红外(NIR)激光辅助沉积系统制备水凝胶纳米复合材料是一种新的、但非常有价值的工具。所设计的近红外激光系统的波长范围为800-2400 nm。生物分子和生物聚合物在近红外激光的照射下，可以保持其完整的功能结构和性质。此外，近红外激光具有很强的微米甚至纳米级的表面和界面裁剪能力。计划的子项目包括：(1)近红外激光与生物材料/生物聚合物相互作用的研究。(2)基于近红外激光辅助技术制备的多功能纳米复合材料非侵入性生物传感器的研制。(3)开发功能强大的纳米复合材料微生物快速捕获和检测装置。预计拟议的计划将对纳米/微制造、先进生物材料和新的生物医学设备领域产生重大影响。

This proposed NSERC DG research program aims at the development of a new and feasible fabrication process to produce hydrogel nanocomposites with enhanced properties. The challenges of current nanocomposites include: (1) unsatisfied biocompatibility due to many chemical molecules interactions; (2) undesired physical properties caused by the uncontrollable interface between inorganic and organic phases. The long-term research goal of the applicant is to develop novel techniques for producing biocompatible nanocomposite-based devices for the biochemical and biomedical applications, including bio-chips, bio-imaging, and the biosensors. Our previous research findings have demonstrated that the hydrogel nanocomposites, consisting of inorganic nanoparticles and pH-sensitive hydrogel, have significant potential of being applied in local drug delivery, non-invasive diagnostic, and rapid microbial capture due to their improved biocompatibility, and extraordinary physical properties. In the next five years, the applicant is going to combine the physical and chemical techniques to produce the advanced hydrogel nanocomposites. Using near infrared (NIR) laser-assisted deposition system to produce hydrogel nanocomposites is a new, but an invaluable tool. The designed NIR laser system has the wavelength in the range of 800-2400 nm. Biomolecules and biopolymers can keep their fully functional structures and properties under the radiation of NIR laser. Furthermore, the NIR laser beam has the strong capability for tailoring the surface and interface at micro-, even nano-scale. The planned sub-projects include: (1) Study on interaction between NIR laser and biomaterials/biopolymers. (2) Development of non-invasive biosensors based on multifunctional nanocomposite produced by the NIR-laser assistant technique. (3) Development of powerful nanocomposite-based device for rapid microbial capture and detection. The proposed program is expected to bring a significant impact on the fields of nano/micro fabrication, advanced biomaterials, and new biomedical devices.