In-situ Microstructural Characterization of the Biodegradation of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs)

本研究的目的是调查在原位和实时酶降解的聚羟基脂肪酸酯（PHAs）薄膜的表面微观结构，并与这些变化的降解机制。 将使用原子力显微镜（AFM）的液池能力监测原位表面微观结构变化，并将在高温下进行，以最大限度地提高解聚酶的酶活性。 文献表明，生物降解优先发生在本体共聚物的非晶区，而不是结晶区。 然而，这一假设从未得到分析证实。 这一理论将使用AFM的相位成像能力进行评估，并与表面分析光谱学进行确认。 该项目的第二个目标是更好地理解表面化学在生物材料表面微加工中的作用/通过对基底进行疏水和亲水改性来控制表面化学，将研究使用烷醇自组装单分子层（SAMs）微接触印刷（m-CP）到金表面的PHA新图案化技术。 这将用于产生自对准薄膜内部高度标准，用于原位表面微结构变化和体机械性能将启动。 本项目的最终目标是在跨学科研究项目中对本科研究生和高中科学教师进行科学培训。本项目将为一类重要的生物降解塑料的分解机制提供新的见解。 这是一个跨学科的项目，本科研究生和高中教师在生物和材料科学之间的接口。 未来的科学家和目前的中学教师在化学，生物学和材料科学需要在这些学科的复杂的相互作用的培训，因为这个项目强调。

The objective of this study is to investigate the in-situ and real-time enzymatic biodegradation of the surface microstructure in thin films of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), and correlate these changes with the degradation mechanism. In-situ surface microstructural changes will be monitored using the liquid cell capability of the atomic force microscope (AFM) and will be performed at elevated temperatures to maximize the enzymatic activity of the depolymerase. Literature has suggested that biodegradation preferentially occurs in amorphous regions of bulk copolymers opposed to crystalline regions. However, this postulate has never been analytically confirmed. This theory will be evaluated using the phase imaging capability of the AFM and confirmed with surface analytical spectroscopy. A secondary objective of this project is to better understand the role of surface chemistry in the microfabrication of biomaterials surfaces/ Through control of surface chemistry via hydrophobic and hydrophilic modifications to the substrate, novel patterning techniques for PHAs using microcontact printing (m-CP) of alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) to gold surfaces will be studied. This will be used to produce a self-aligned thin film internal height standard for the in-situ surface microstructural changes and bulk mechanical properties will initiated. A final objective of this project is the scientific training of undergraduate research students and high school science teachers in an interdisciplinary research project.This project will provide a new insight into the breakdown mechanism in an important class biodegradable plastics. It is an interdisciplinary project for undergraduate research students and high school teachers at the interface between the biological and materials sciences. Future scientists and present secondary school teachers in chemistry, biology and materials science need to be trained in the complex interactions of these disciplines as this project highlights.