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Designing Anti-fouling and Drug Releasing Thin Film Coatings via Layer-by-Layer (LbL) Deposition Technology
My thesis work focuses on designing thin polyelectrolyte multilayer
(PEM) film coatings via layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition technique with
the ability to kill pathogenic bacteria and inactivate human viruses,
especially the influenza (flu) virus on contact. This work builds on
four years of research at the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies
(ISN) focusing on creating new, non-leaching microbicidal material; this
film is envisioned to be used as permanent surface coatings for weapons,
equipments, uniforms, personal items, etc. because a small reduction in
the rate of infection will greatly enhance the readiness and performance
of soldiers and other military personnel. Extending this application to
everyday life, imagine if commonly handled objects like doorknobs,
computer keyboards, and toys can be made sterile by coating them with
these highly effective microbicidal PEM films. The ultimate aim of this
thesis work is to create a dual functional film for implantable devices
with a permanent microbicidal base for long-term prevention of biofilm
formation, as well as controlled release of a therapeutic agent via a
hydrolytically degradable top film. So far, we have successfully
designed a set of contact-killing ionically cross-linked polymeric thin
films; a polycation, linear N,N-dodecyl,methyl- polyethylenimine
(DMLPEI), with microbicidal activity was layered with a polyanion, such
as poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), to create LbL films highly effective
against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram negative and
positive bacteria, respectively), as well as influenza A/WSN (H1N1)
virus. We then moved on to design a new bi-functional LbL construct
combining the permanent microbicidal base film with a hydrolytically
degradable PEM top film offering controlled and localized delivery of
therapeutics (e.g. antibiotic, anti-inflammatory drug, etc.). Films with
anti-fouling capability has also recently been explored. |
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