Final Report Summary - POLY-INTER-FACES (Micro- and Nanostructured Polysaccharide Interfaces) This Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship (MC-IEF) research project was funded by the European Union and executed from June 2013 until May 2015 at the Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers (LCPP) University of Maribor, Slovenia. Its final objectives and aims were the utilization of the natural physico-chemical and biological functions of polysaccharides and their derivatives in the form of solid materials with distinct surface properties. These properties include hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, anti-microbial efficacy, porosity and low or selective protein adhesion. By elaborating the methods to produce new polysaccharide derivatives and to from them into materials using electro-spinning, films casting and coating techniques, a variety of surface-functional and bio-compatible materials should be obtained. In addition to the chemical composition, micro- and nano- structuring of the polysaccharide materials was targeted, to increase their functionality and as a result the applicability. Depending on the obtained surface properties and the interaction of the solid surfaces with biomolecules such as proteins and DNA, these materials could be used as wound dressings, anti-fouling coatings, biosensors or cell growth scaffolds.To reach the project`s objectives silylated polysaccharide derivatives were produced and characterized in detail with respect to their chemical composition, solubility and processability. These silylation reactions allowed the processing and blending of polysaccharide derivatives which are otherwise not miscible. Besides others it included the silylation of chitosan, hydroxyethyl cellulose and cellulose that could then be formed into blend films or electrospun into micro- or nano-fibers and particles. Cleavage of silyl protecting groups after material processing led to the formation of polysaccharide blends with characteristic surface properties and tailored interaction with biomolecules. It was for instance found that films containing uncharged highly hydrated cellulose, dispersed in a matrix of hydrophobic cellulose derivatives (e.g. cellulose acetate, ethyl cellulose), exhibits very low unspecific adsorption of serum albumin under physiological conditions. By decreasing the amount of cellulose in this matrix, adsorption of albumin could be strongly influenced. In contrast it was found that the plasma protein fibrinogen, which plays a key role in blood coagulation, strongly binds to cellulose acetate surfaces but not to other micro-structured hydrophobic/hydrophilic polysaccharide blends, a fact that is of significant importance for the biomedical application of the investigated materials. Protein binding to surfaces could also be influenced by deposition of cationic charges on the aforementioned materials.The project`s final aim was the exploitation and utilization of the tailored materials` properties. These applications included the use as a biosensor platform for the fluorescence based detection of DNA, owing to the low unspecific adhesion of this biomolecule and the specific immobilization of probes by polymer adsorption. Alternative applications targeted the use of the materials as substrates for the growth of living cells in tissue engineering, an emerging topic in medicine. The project`s results also included the development of coatings for functional wound dressings which contain anti-inflammatory substances that can be released in a controlled manner to possibly heal chronic wounds. As a results the project`s impact strongly contributed to the sustainable use of natural resources, the understanding of basic phenomena at the interface and the application of the materials in the biomedical field. The project idea and results address a large variety of target groups namely the bio-based industry as a producer of raw-materials and products, the bio-medical sector and households as consumers of point-of care diagnostic devices, and medical wound dressing materials. It is expected that some of the developed materials and applications can be developed further, brought to the market and lead to innovation, growth, job opportunities and advances in health care. Related documents final1-1-final-publishable-summary-report.pdf
