Lipid-coated Microgels

本研究探索了基于刺激响应水凝胶的新微结构的制备和研究，该水凝胶涂覆有脂质膜并在微流体通道内制造。 脂质涂层提供了一个薄的渗透屏障，水凝胶网络作为动态支架。 这些软微结构可用于调节微流体装置中的流体流动而无需外部干预，并且它们可用作细胞和组织表面的模型。 利用它们的潜力需要开发新的水凝胶以及更深入地了解凝胶-液体界面处脂质涂层的组装。 本项目的主要目标是：（1）开发制备脂质包衣微凝胶的方法，（2）表征脂质包衣的结构并研究其转运性质，以及（3）研究特定化学或生物制剂诱导的脂质膜渗透性的变化。 主要采用的方法是设计和合成新的单体和反应性脂质，微加工和光聚合，水凝胶的化学改性，以及各种扫描共聚焦显微镜和电学测量。从这些研究中获得的理解将有助于为制造人工细胞的长期目标奠定基础，所进行的研究将为高分子化学和材料科学的学生和博士后提供跨学科培训。

This research explores the preparation and study of new microstructures based on stimuli-responsive hydrogels that are coated with a lipid membraned and fabricated within a microfluidic channel. The lipid coating provides a thin permeability barrier and the hydrogel network serves as dynamic scaffolding. These soft microstructures can be used to regulate the flow of fluids in microfluidic devices without external intervention, and they may serve as models of cell and tissue surfaces. Harnessing their potential requires the development of new hydrogels as well as a deeper understanding of the assembly of lipid coatings at the gel-liquid interface. The major objectives of this project are: (1) to develop methods for fabricating lipid-coated microgels, (2) to characterize the structure and study the transport properties of the lipid coating, and (3) to study changed in the permeability of the lipid membrane induced by specific chemical or biological agents. The main methods to be employed are the design and synthesis of new monomers and reactive lipids, microfabrication and photopolymerization, chemical modification of hydrogels, and a variety of scanning confocal microscopy, and electrical measurements.%%%The understanding gained from these studies will help to lay the foundation for the long-term objective of fabricating artificial cells, and the research undertaken will provide interdisciplinary training to students and postdoctoral associates in polymer chemistry and materials science.