Annotated Biopolymer

Macromolecules play a crucial role in the functions of living systems, and so it is important to be able to identify what substances might contain specific macromolecules. In this experiment, three tests were conducted on twelve sample solutions of different substances. The macromolecules being tested for were polysaccharides such as glycogen and starch, reducing sugars, and finally proteins. These three types of macromolecules were tested using the Iodine Test, Benedict’s Test, and Biuret Test respectively. The overall purpose of this experiment was to develop an understanding of why certain macromolecules might react with certain substances given their unique properties, as well as to identify an unknown substance based on the results of these tests.

Sphagnan’s highly reactive carbonyl groups can alter the chemicals and nutrients necessary for the decomposition of a piece of organic matter. The groups found in sphagnan essentially connect collagen molecules, this preserves them from degradation. By linking the collagen fibers,

The delivery pathway and depth of insertion of inhibitors will be affected by the mechanistic property and porosity of fungal cell walls, which can be examined by measuring the mobility and hydration of biomolecules. Our preliminary 1D data have revealed a very distinct dynamical profile for cell wall molecules for A. fumigatus (Fig. 3). The 1H-13C INEPT spectrum (Fig.3, top) showed quite a few sharp resonances belonging to very mobile molecules, while the 1H-13C cross polarization spectrum (Fig 3, bottom) contained only broad peaks from the rigid molecules, including chitins. These results led us to hypothesize that chitin forms the rigid scaffold whereas glucans form a relatively mobile matrix. We will also measure transverse and longitudinal relaxation times, chemical shift anisotropy, and dipolar couplings with site-specific resolutions. The combined measurements cover a wide range of motions happening from nanoseconds to milliseconds, including both local reorientation and collective motion of multiple sugar rings. It is particularly interesting to know whether dynamical heterogeneity is present for the same molecule. For example, for β-1,3-glucan, some disordered chains could fill the interstitial space between chitin microfibrils while other partially oriented chains can hydrogen bond to the chitin surface becoming partially rigidified. If this scenario occurs, we will observe

The Polyol free Polyurea also improved on its chemical resistance and hydro lytic stability and durability. The Polyurea Elastomeric System was patented ( standard ) on April 17, 2002, by Dr, Gerald, along with Anastasios Zahariadis and Urethane Products corporation. The patent is currently under no opposition and it’s application status to date is lapsed. The Polyurea Elastomeric System patent has yet to be completed but that does not take away from the intense research that Dr. Gerald has accomplished, and it doesn’t mean that the research want continue or the job want be completed. Dr. Gerald remains an admired and praised scientist; still known for his daring and sometimes dangerous research in the quest for

increasing power led to decreasing molecular weight (Fig. 2a). Polydispersity did not show consistent trend with the increasing power, which corresponded to random scission of pectin (Fig. 2b). Pectin molecular weight decreased rapidly between 100W to 200W, however,the molecular weight reduction reduced between 200W to 400W, which is consistent with increased number of molecules and presence of small chain and stiff molecules in the system which tend to be less prone to sonolysis. The 400W power treatment resulted in more than four fold decrease in molecular weight compared to native pectin, a similar observation was made by Zhang et al., [46] who reported progressive decrease in citrus pectin molecular weight with increasing ultrasonic intensity while. Sonolysis of chitosan under different sonic intensities lead to decrease in molecular weight with increasing ultrasonic power, suggesting that decrease in sonolysis rate with increasing power was likely caused by increase in total number of molecules and presence of low molecular weight pectin fragments which are stiff, hence much higher energy is required to further reduce their molecular size [24]. Increased sonication intensity led to enhanced molecular weight reduction in polylactic acid (PLA) and Poly-lactic/glycolic acid (PLGA) [47]. Moreover, sonolysis of chitosan produced low molecular weight product with increased bioactivity.

Stem cells have also been utilized for the regeneration of a worn cornea. A study of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with a thermoresponsive injectable carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan (CHC) hydrogel found that the cell viability and cluster of differentiation (CD) 44+ proportion of iPSCs were increased. The wound healing in abrasion-injured corneas was facilitated by the combination of stem cells and the hydrogel. The study also found that the CHC hydrogel has effects in reducing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and restoring the corneal epithelial thickness, thus further improving the reconstruction of damaged cornea. The CHC hydrogel shows a potential as a stem cell delivery system for the enhancement of corneal wound treatment [51].

Surface modification for rapid endothelialization of vascular biomaterials is known as an important way to prevent thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia. Moreover, therapeutical manipulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) expression via local delivery of miRNA mimics or inhibitors by electrospun ultrafine fibers has demonstrated the promise in tissue regeneration. In this work, a dual-functional electrospun membrane was developed by combining Arg-Glu-Asp-Val (REDV) peptide-modification of the fiber surface to enhance vascular endothelial cell (VEC) adhesion and encapsulation of miRNA-126 (miR-126) complexes in the electrospun fibers to accelerate VEC proliferation. The electrospun membranes were specially prepared by emulsion electrospinning

Fig. 3b shows the effect of AA on the Q value of hydrogel. With increasing concentration of AA, the Q values of hydrogels increased and then decreased. When AA amount was more than 7 g, the Q values of hydrogels decreased because when the concentration of AA was high, the collision probability between monomers would increase, thus increasing the graft length of sulfonated cellulose, favoring the formation of a polymeric network at higher Q values of hydrogels. HIGh AA concentrations would lead to self-polymerization and lower swelling ratio. The best ratio between sulfonated cellulose and monomer was determined as 1:7.

From Ratio 1 to Ratio 5, the saturated protein adsorption of ceramic beads decreased, which indicate that the efficiency of ceramic beads adsorption decreased with the content of RHA declining. Both RHA and NC have characteristics of adsorption. The main content of RHA are fixed carbon and SiO2. Fixed carbon has similar properties with AC,

Despite the difficulty of splicing the DNA of two living animals scientists have had a good amount of success. For example, in 2010 they embedded seven goat embryos with the spider silk producing protein. Three of them have tested positive for having the protein in their body and when they older enough to start lactating their spider silk will be harvested from their milk. Because of the silk’s incredible strength and elasticity it is a very versatile material when applied to science, it can be used for tendons, ligaments, and sutures. It also possibly as a future of being incorporated into bulletproof vests and advanced airbags. (Citation)

Similar to its polysaccharide nature, Chitin has a similar chemical structure as that of cellulose. It is reported to be a polymer with high molecular weight of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine units which are linked by β-D bonds, which has 1000-3000 units (Shahidi & Abuzaytoun 2005). In similarity with cellulose, chitin has an acetamido group at its C2 postion unlike cellulose which has a hydroxyl group (Shahidi & Abuzaytoun 2005). Figure 1 shows the structure of chitin, its derivative chitosan and cellulose.

Gelatin cryogel sheets (5%) were synthesized using glutaraldehyde as the cross-linker. The aldehyde groups of glutaraldehyde form covalent imine bonds with amino groups of gelatin. Initially different concentrations of gelatin were used (4%, 5%, 6% and 8% respectively). On physical examination of the cryogels produced with these concentrations, it was observed that at higher concentration of gelatin polymer (8%) the rate of polymerization was very fast and hence cryogel sheets formed were not proper. As the percentage of gelatin was increased the amount of cross-linker required was low i.e., the amount of cross-linker required decreases with increase in monomer concentration. Increase in polymer concentration also leads to less elasticity

Acidic collagen type I (CosmoBio) at 5 mg/mL concentration and pH 3 was used. Specified volumes of collagen solution were dispensed into plastic molds maintained at 4°C. In a closed chamber, ammonium hydroxide maintained at 25°C was allowed to interact with degassed collagen solution. Collagen was exposed to ammonia vapors in desiccation chamber at room temperature for 3 min, 30 min and 2 h. Collagen gels were then removed from ammonia chamber and incubated in 5°C vitrification chamber for 90 minutes, followed by a 30-minute incubation (gelation) at 37°C. Samples were vitrified in a 5°C vitrification chamber overnight followed by a 37 °C and 40% RH for 3 days. The biomaterials were then rehydrated in 20 mM HEPES for 24 hours.

An alternative enzymatic method has been discovered to overcome the limitation of preparation of chitosan by discovering chitin deacetylases . For production of novel, well-defined chitosan we have found the use of chitin deacetylases for the conversion of chitin to chitosan, which is in contrast to the currently used chemical procedure, offers the possibility of a controlled, non-degradable process . This method is specially used to prepare chitosan oligomers

Eudragit RS and RL 100 polymers have been selected as a carrier for fabrication of nanofibers due to their nice stability, biocompatibility, and nice adhesion over skin due to excellent swelling property, and presence of surface charge. These charges can facilitate prolonged residence time and adhesion over targeted site (Haznedar et al, 2004). Their combination customize drug release, moreover presence of quaternary ammonium compound further check reoccurrence of microbial infection. Chemically these are copolymers of poly (ethylacrylate, methyl methacrylate and chlorotrimethyl-ammonioethyl methacrylate).