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Aggregation behaviour of biohybrid microgels from elastin-like recombinamers
Smriti Singh1, Dan Eugen Demco2, Khosrow Rahimi1
1DWI-Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, e.V., RWTH-Aachen University, Forckenbeckstraße 50, D-52074 Aachen, Germany. moeller@dwi.rwth-aachen.de demco@itmc.rwth-aachen.de.
Soft Matter
|July 6, 2016
Summary
Biohybrid microgels synthesized from elastin-like recombinamers (ELRs) show concentration-dependent aggregation with temperature hysteresis. This aggregation behavior is crucial for understanding their potential as drug carriers.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials science
- Polymer chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Biohybrid microgels are promising drug carriers.
- Microgel aggregation can lead to loss of activity, toxicity, and immunogenicity.
- Understanding aggregation behavior is critical for safe and effective application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the aggregation behavior of elastin-like recombinamer (ELR) microgels.
- To analyze the influence of concentration and temperature on microgel aggregation.
- To quantify the aggregation process using kinetic models.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of ELR microgels via miniemulsion technique.
- Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) for aggregation detection.
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (HRMAS, relaxometry, diffusometry) for quantitative analysis.
Main Results:
- Detected temperature-dependent aggregation hysteresis in ELR microgels.
- Hysteresis effect strongly depends on ELR microgel concentration.
- Quantified aggregation using chemical shift and diffusivity data with a population balance kinetic model.
Conclusions:
- ELR microgel aggregation is a complex phenomenon influenced by concentration and temperature.
- Hysteresis in aggregation suggests potential for controlled drug release applications.
- NMR and DLS provide complementary insights into microgel aggregation dynamics.
