New Polymeric Betaines as Antiadherent Materials

描述(由申请人提供)：计划中的研究通过提出新型聚合物甜菜碱的应用来解决医院和植入物相关感染的非常重要的问题，其中一些例子已经被证明具有所需的特性，作为医疗器械/植入物的聚合物涂层。拟议研究的主要长期目标是设计、合成和评价具有潜在抗附着/抗菌性能的新型聚合物材料作为涂层。该项目的具体目标包括1)新型生物灵感甜菜碱的合成、表征和聚合，2)任何新的聚合物材料的溶液和成膜性能的表征，以及3)评估这些材料在块状和涂层中的抗粘附性和/或抗微生物性能。拟议的研究本质上是多学科的，因此涉及三名具有聚合物设计/合成(Lowe博士)、薄膜形成和表征(Dr.Urban)和致病微生物学(Dr.Elasri)背景的研究人员。因此，新单体的设计、合成及其随后的聚合将由Lowe博士负责。材料将通过传统的自由基聚合和受控/活性技术来制备，从而能够阐明控制其行为的结构和性质关系。厄本博士负责研究成膜的特点。这将使用几种先进的光谱技术来实现，例如光声傅里叶变换红外光谱、衰减全反射光谱和内反射红外成像。最后，Elasri博士将评估聚合物薄膜的抗粘附性和/或抗微生物性能。通过将待测聚合物涂覆在聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯圆盘上并测量附着的细菌数量来评估薄膜的防粘连性能。甜菜碱共聚物的抗菌性能将通过两种方法进行测试。首先，用肉汤稀释法确定最小抑菌浓度和最小杀菌浓度，然后以固体表面薄膜涂层的形式对共聚物进行评价。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The planned research addresses the very significant problem of nosocomial and implant-related infections by proposing the application of new types of polymeric betaines, some examples of which have been previously demonstrated to posses the required properties, as polymeric coatings for medical devices/implants. The primary long term objective of the proposed research is the design, synthesis and evaluation of novel polymeric materials as coatings with potential anti-adherent/antimicrobial properties. The specific aims of the project include 1) the synthesis, characterization and polymerization of novel bioinspired betaines, 2) characterization of the solution and film forming properties of any new polymeric materials, and 3) evaluation of the anti-adherent and/or antimicrobial properties of these materials in the bulk and as coatings. The proposed research is inherently multidisciplinary, and as such involves three researchers with backgrounds in polymer design/synthesis (Dr. Lowe), film formation and characterization (Dr. Urban), and pathogenic microbiology (Dr. Elasri). As such, the design, synthesis of new monomers and their subsequent polymerization will be the responsibility of Dr. Lowe. Materials will be prepared by conventional free radical polymerization and controlled/living techniques thus allowing the elucidation of the structure property relationships governing their behavior. Dr. Urban is responsible for studying the characteristics of film formation. This will be accomplished using several advanced spectroscopic techniques such as photo-acoustic Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy, and internal reflection infrared imaging. Finally, Dr. Elasri will evaluate the anti-adherent and/or antimicrobial properties of the polymeric films. The anti-adherence properties of the films will be evaluated by coating poly(methyl methacrylate) discs with the polymer to be tested and measuring the amount of attached bacteria. The antimicrobial properties of the betaine copolymers will be tested by two methods. Firstly, using the broth dilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration, and the minimum bactericidal concentration, and secondly by evaluating the copolymers in form of a thin film coating on a solid surface.