Laboratory for the Development and Application of Advanced Functional Polymeric Materials

本报告提出的研究旨在开发可用于解决人类健康和环境问题的新型材料。为了实现这一目标，我们将开发能够：1)检测疾病分子指标的新技术；2)以受控和触发的方式向系统提供小分子治疗；3)根据环境触发因素进行举重和动作；4)利用再生资源纤维去除污染水体中的有机和重金属污染物。这些技术将通过修改聚合物和聚合物基系统的化学性质来产生给定的功能。具体来说，该小组开发了由聚（n -异丙基丙烯酰胺）水凝胶颗粒（微凝胶）制成的分层材料，具有视觉颜色。从2009年开始，我们对这项技术进行了改进，使其可以用于检测小的DNA序列。在一个例子中，本报告提出的部分工作将集中在检测DNA的新方法上，允许检测长（100个碱基长）的DNA。这对于实现上述第1点非常重要。我们还展示了同样的技术可以用来控制小分子在各种系统中的释放和传递。在这个DG中，我们将进一步开发技术，以获得对输送特性的更精细控制，移动到这些设备可以涂覆在医疗设备上的地步，从而可以释放能够预防植入物和植入过程引起的感染的治疗药物。最后，我们的材料可以用作人造肌肉和驱动器，以响应外部刺激而触发。我们的肌肉比人类更强壮。该DG将专注于将该技术转化为响应电、磁和电磁（光）场的设备。这些设备还将用于向各种系统（包括生物系统）输送小分子治疗药物。该集团的工作还将集中在进一步开发我们的聚合物技术，以去除水中的小分子和重金属污染物（即水修复）。至于这个总干事，我们会致力发展以可再生资源纤维制成的聚合物基材料。还将对这些材料的可回收性和再使用性进行全面研究。将利用这里所要求的DG资金进行多种其他研究途径。例如，我们基于聚合物的致动器将被修改，以便它们可以用于检测感兴趣的分子。此外，我们的层状材料的电学性质将被研究，并与感兴趣的分子浓度相关联。在另一个例子中，我们将开发新的微凝胶，可以用于诊断皮肤癌。所有项目的重点都是解决健康和环境问题。

The research proposed in this DG is aimed at developing novel materials that can be used to solve human health and environmental problems. To accomplish this, we will develop new technologies capable of: 1) detecting molecular indicators of disease; 2) delivering small molecule therapeutics to systems in a controlled and triggered fashion; 3) lifting weights and actuating in response to environmental triggers; 4) removing organic and heavy metal contaminants from contaminated water using fibers from renewable resources. These technologies will be developed by modification of the chemistry of polymers and polymer-based systems to yield a given function. Specifically, the group has developed layered materials made of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel particles (microgels) that exhibit visual color. Beginning in 2009, we have modified this technology such that it can be used to detect small DNA sequences. In one example, part of the work proposed in this DG will focus on new ways to detect DNA, allowing long (100 bases long) DNA to be detected. This will be important for achieving point 1 above. We also showed that the same technology could be used to control the release and delivery of small molecules to various systems. In this DG, we will further develop the technology to gain finer control of the delivery characteristics, moving to the point where these devices can be coated onto medical devices, which can release therapeutic drugs capable of preventing infections induced by implants and implantation procedures. Finally, our materials can be used as artificial muscles and actuators that are triggered in response to external stimuli. Our muscles are stronger pound-for-pound than humans. This DG will focus on turning this technology into devices that actuate in response electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic (light) fields. These devices will also be used to deliver small molecule therapeutic drugs to a variety of systems (including biological), among other things. The group's efforts will also focus on further developing our polymer-based technologies for removing small molecule and heavy metal contaminants from water (i.e., water remediation). For this DG, we will focus our efforts on developing polymer-based materials made from fibers obtained from renewable resources. A comprehensive study of the recyclability and reusability of the materials will also be undertaken. Multiple other avenues of research will be pursued with the DG funds requested here. For example, our polymer-based actuators will be modified such that they can be used for detecting molecules of interest. Furthermore, electrical properties of our layered materials will be investigated, and correlated with the concentration of a molecule of interest. In another example, we will develop novel microgels that can be used for diagnosing skin cancer. All projects are focused on solving health and environmental problems.