POLY 117 |
| The ability to convert non-biologically functional materials into biologically functional systems holds importance in tissue engineering and device implantation. Surface modification of gold-plated silicon wafers is accomplished by creating localized regions of hydrophilic carboxylate-terminated self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) from dilute solutions of alkane thiolates atop the gold coating. To decrease collagen adsorption in unwanted areas, a hydrophobic SAM is added. Fluorescently labeled collagen was bound to the substrate using 1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) coupled to N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) to create a stable amide bond. Because of the imperfect collagen pattern, a 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) assay was conducted to determine the amount of free amines remaining after labeling the collagen. The assay showed an inverse linear relationship of available free amines to fluorophore concentration, suggesting that the degree of labeling can inhibit collagen assembly. Therefore, patterning experiments are currently in progress which use a lower degree of labeling. |
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Undergraduate Research in Polymer Science
6:00 PM-8:00 PM, Sunday, April 6, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster
Division of Polymer Chemistry |