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Updated: Apr 20, 2026
Layer-by-layer Collagen Deposition in Microfluidic Devices for Microtissue Stabilization
Published on: September 29, 2015
Tuning the properties of mucin via layer-by-layer assembly
Jiyoung Ahn1, Thomas Crouzier, Katharina Ribbeck
1Department of Chemical Engineering, ‡Department of Biological Engineering, and §Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States.
Abstract:
Multilayer films consisting of bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) were prepared on various substrates using layer-by-layer assembly. The effects of both the assembly pH and ionic strength on multilayer characteristics were investigated by assessing film thicknesses (10-80 nm), surface wetting characteristics, and cell repulsion. Also, the dynamic assembly behavior was monitored using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) to further understand the effect of assembly pH on film characteristics. Assembly studies revealed that substantial amounts of BSM adhere to the outermost surface only at low pH conditions. The resulting multilayer films assembled at low pH conditions were found to exhibit hydrophilic and cell repellent behavior. In addition, it was found that batch-to-batch variations of the biopolymer BSM could dramatically alter properties.
