Characterizing the local environment of films created from natural and engineered biofluids

这项研究计划试图了解生物和其他聚合物流体如何在表面形成薄膜。我们主要关注由于液滴在各种复杂表面上的碰撞而形成的薄膜。我的研究小组使用分析化学、流体动力学和材料表征的独特组合来了解这些形成的薄膜的本地环境，以及它们如何随着时间的推移在环境中变化(老化和降解)。重要的是，我们使用高速视频成像、高分辨率质谱仪和其他光谱技术来更好地了解这些过程。 我的计划的主要目标和短期目标是：(I)了解全血和其他生物流体的成膜机理；(Ii)表征这些薄膜随着时间的推移是如何老化和降解的；以及(Iii)设计用于研究和培训的新型聚合物生物流体类似物。从长远来看，我的目标是对薄膜形成过程中涉及的所有化合物、它们在界面上的转移以及它们在表面和主体材料内的持久性进行广泛的了解和质量平衡。我们将开发一种创新的取样室，用于随着时间的推移对生成的薄膜进行化学和光学监测。这对于理解薄膜形成和降解所涉及的物理(机械)和化学过程之间的动态相互作用至关重要。我们还将随着时间的推移监测和采样不断变化的薄膜及其局部环境(顶空、周围的衬底)。这项工作的一个亮点是使用高分辨率质谱学技术(ESI-或MALDI-FT-ICR-MS)与非定向分析方法相结合，使我们能够快速准确地识别变化中的薄膜中的大量分子，包括生物标志物。这将是确定老化和降解的关键化学特征的关键。薄膜形成的高速视频成像将有助于在快速时间域中对软材料表征的日益增长的研究。生物流体本质上是可变的，这使得它们很难在应用培训方案中使用。我的项目的另一个亮点是将生物流体类似物工程作为法医学的标准参考材料；这是该学科的第一个此类项目。我们将使用高含水率和延迟相变的溶胶-凝胶和水凝胶技术，使它们对环境友好，并具有持久的保质期。操纵聚合过程将产生具有相关块状材料和表面属性的定制合成生物流体。 参加我的项目的HQP将使用一套分析技术学习材料表征方面的关键技能。重要的是，他们的工作将具有重大的工业应用，并可将技能转移到法医学、生物技术、职业健康和安全以及国防部门。

This research program seeks to understand how biological and other polymeric fluids form films across surfaces. We focus primarily on film formation created as a result of droplet impact across a variety of complex surfaces. My research group uses a unique combination of analytical chemistry, fluid dynamics and materials characterization to understand the local environment of these formed films and how they change (age and degrade) over time in the environment. Importantly, we use high-speed video imaging, high-resolution mass spectrometry and other spectral techniques to better understand these processes. The main objectives and short-term goals of my program are to: (i) understand the film formation mechanics of whole blood and other biological fluids; (ii) characterize how these films age and degrade over time; and (iii) engineer novel polymer-based biofluid analogues for use in research and training. In the long-term, my goal is to develop an extensive understanding and mass balance of all compounds involved in the film formation process, their transfer across interfaces, and their persistence on surfaces and within the bulk material. We will develop an innovative sampling chamber for chemical and optical monitoring of the generated films over time. This is critical in understanding the dynamic interplay between the physical (mechanical) and chemical processes involved in thin-film formation and degradation. We will also monitor and sample the changing films and their local environment (headspace, surrounding substrate) over time. A highlight of this work will use high-resolution mass spectrometry techniques (ESI- or MALDI- FT-ICR-MS) combined with untargeted analytical approaches to allow us to rapidly and accurately identify a large number of molecules, including biomarkers, in the changing film. This will be critical in determining key chemical signatures of aging and degradation. High-speed video imaging of film formation will contribute to the growing research in soft-materials characterization in fast time domains. Biological fluids are inherently variable in nature, making them difficult to use in applied training scenarios. Another highlight of my program is engineering biological fluid analogues as standard reference materials in the forensic sciences; the discipline's first project of this kind. We will use sol-gel and hydrogel technologies with high water content and delayed phase transitions so that they are environmentally friendly and have long-lasting shelf lives. Manipulating the polymerization process will generate tailored synthetic biofluids with relevant bulk material and surface properties. HQP who participate in my program will learn critical skills in materials characterization using a suite of analytical techniques. Importantly, their work will have significant industrial applications and transferrable skills to the forensic science, biotechnology, occupational health & safety, and national defence sectors.