Functional Polymers and Colloids

功能聚合物和胶体

• 批准号: RGPIN-2021-04214
• 负责人: Stover, Harald
• 金额: $ 2.62万
• 依托单位: McMaster University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=748255
• 关键词: Functional; Polymers; Colloids

Synthetic polyampholytes, copolymers formed from anionic, cationic and neutral monomers, have fascinating solution properties that resemble those of an important class of proteins called Inherently Disordered Proteins. We will prepare series of non-stoichiometric polyampholytes based on acrylic monomers with a range of cation to anion ratios, and with different charge densities controlled by incorporation of neutral comonomers. We will explore the ability of these copolymers to phase separate as viscous liquid coacervates from aqueous solution, in response to subtle and often cooperative changes in salinity, pH, temperature, and presence of other polymers. These polyampholytes and their coacervates are highly cell compatible, and we will explore their use as components of synthetic extracellular matrices, with particular focus on their ability to fulfill the attachment needs of many mammalian cells. We have previously shown that such polyampholytes have significant potential as cell cryoprotectants. At the same time, we are developing highly hydrated polymer microgels, lightly crosslinked, optically transparent, spherical polymer gels of 5 to 20 micrometer diameter when swollen. These entities are formed by precipitation polymerization in marginal solvents, a unique process we originally developed, that results in radially structured, surfactant-free microgels. We now plan to explore the use of these microgels as granular components of extracellular matrices, in particular for assays to test migration of different cell types through tissue, including metastatic cancer cell, embryonic cells, and immune surveillance cells. This will involve microgels grafted with the above polyampholytes to allow better control over cell adhesion as well as visco-elastic properties of these synthetic 3D tissue mimics. Additional applications may involve using similar modified microgels with liquid coacervate cores as templates for cell-free biology using single absorbed enzymes as well as cell extracts. This work will involve collaborators with expertise in certain cell types, and could lead to useful approaches to better understand cell behaviour.

合成两性聚电解质是由阴离子、阳离子和中性单体形成的共聚物，具有迷人的溶液性质，类似于一类重要的蛋白质，称为固有无序蛋白质。我们将制备一系列基于丙烯酸单体的非化学计量的两性聚电解质，其具有一定范围的阳离子与阴离子比率，并且具有通过引入中性共聚单体控制的不同电荷密度。我们将探讨这些共聚物的能力相分离的粘性液体凝聚层从水溶液中，在响应微妙的和经常合作的变化，盐度，pH值，温度和其他聚合物的存在。这些两性聚电解质和它们的凝聚体是高度细胞相容的，我们将探索它们作为合成细胞外基质组分的用途，特别关注它们满足许多哺乳动物细胞附着需求的能力。我们以前已经表明，这样的两性聚电解质作为细胞冷冻保护剂具有显着的潜力。同时，我们正在开发高度水合的聚合物微凝胶，轻度交联，光学透明，球形聚合物凝胶，溶胀时直径为5至20微米。这些实体是通过在边缘溶剂中沉淀聚合形成的，这是我们最初开发的一种独特工艺，可产生放射状结构的无表面活性剂的微凝胶。我们现在计划探索使用这些微凝胶作为细胞外基质的颗粒组分，特别是用于检测不同细胞类型通过组织的迁移的测定，包括转移性癌细胞，胚胎细胞和免疫监视细胞。这将涉及用上述聚两性电解质接枝的微凝胶，以允许更好地控制这些合成3D组织模拟物的细胞粘附以及粘弹性。另外的应用可能涉及使用类似的具有液体凝聚层核心的改性微凝胶作为使用单一吸收的酶以及细胞提取物的无细胞生物学的模板。这项工作将涉及具有某些细胞类型专业知识的合作者，并可能导致更好地了解细胞行为的有用方法。