Genetically Engineered Elastin-based Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications

Producción CientíficaProtein-based polymers are some of the most promising candidates for a new generation of innovative biomaterials as recent advances in genetic-engineering and biotechnological techniques mean that protein-based biomaterials can be designed and constructed with a high degree of complexity and accuracy. Moreover, their sequences, which are derived from structural protein-based modules, can easily be modified to include bioactive motifs that improve their functions and material-host interactions, thereby satisfying fundamental biological requirements. The accuracy with which these advanced polypeptides can be produced, and their versatility, self-assembly behavior, stimuli-responsiveness and biocompatibility, means that they have attracted increasing attention for use in biomedical applications such as cell culture, tissue engineering, protein purification, surface engineering and controlled drug delivery. The biopolymers discussed in this review are elastin-derived protein-based polymers which are biologically inspired and biomimetic materials. This review will also focus on the design, synthesis and characterization of these genetically encoded polymers and their potential utility for controlled drug and gene delivery, as well as in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.European Social Fund (ESF) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)EU (NMP-2014-646075, HEALTH-F4-2011-278557, PITN-GA-2012-317306 and MSCA-ITN-2014-642687)Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Projects MAT2015-68901-R, MAT2016-79435-R and MAT2016-78903-R)Junta de Castilla y León (programa de apoyo a proyectos de investigación - Ref. Projects VA244U13 and VA313U14

New aromatic polyamides and polyimides having an adamantine bulky group

Producción CientíficaThis paper reports the synthesis and characterization of a new rigid diamine monomer, having a spiro carbon moiety and an adamantane bulky group in its structure; namely spiro-(adamantane-2,9′(2',7'-diamino)-fluorene) (SADAF). After its synthesis, using a straightforward methodology, a novel family of aromatic polyimides (PIs) and polyamides (PAs) has been attained by reaction of SADAF with three aromatic dianhydrides and two diacid chlorides, respectively. Two of the polyimides were obtained through the formation of the corresponding polyamic acid and subsequent thermal cycloimidization, whereas the other one, the polyimide from SADAF and 2,2-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA), could be synthesized by chemical imidization from the polyamic precursor. Regarding polyamides, two new ones, made from SADAF and isophthaloyl chloride (IPC) and the diacid chloride of 2,2-bis(4-carboxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane (6FC) could be obtained. All the polymers showed high Tg, above 350 ºC, and excellent thermal resistance, with onset degradation temperatures higher than 450 ºC. Polymers formed by the combination of SADAF with 6FDA and 6FC were prepared as dense films with good mechanical properties and their permselectivity properties were measured.Junta de Castilla y León (programa de apoyo a proyectos de investigación – Ref. VA302U13

Thermally rearranged mixed matrix membranes from copoly(o-hydroxyamide)s and copoly(o-hydroxyamide-amide)s with a porous polymer Network as a filler—A comparison of their gas separation performances

Producción CientíficaCopoly(o-hydroxyamide)s (HPA) and copoly(o-hydroxyamide-amide)s (PAA) have been synthesized to be used as continuous phases in mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). These polymeric matrices were blended with different loads (15 and 30 wt.%) of a relatively highly microporous porous polymer network (PPN). SEM images of the manufactured MMMs exhibited good compatibility between the two phases for all the membranes studied, and their mechanical properties have been shown to be good enough even after thermal treatment. The WAX results show that the addition of PPN as a filler up to 30% does not substantially change the intersegmental distance and the polymer packing. It seems that, for all the membranes studied, the free volume that determines gas transport is in the high end of the possible range. This means that gas flow occurs mainly between the microvoids in the polymer matrix around the filler. In general, both HPA- and PAA-based MMMs exhibited a notable improvement in gas permeability, due to the presence of PPN, for all gases tested, with an almost constant selectivity. In summary, although the thermal stability of the PAA is limited by the thermal stability of the polyamide side chain, their mechanical properties were better. The permeability was higher for the PAA membranes before their thermal rearrangement, and these values increased after the addition of moderate amounts of PPN.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación/Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI)/10.13039/501100011033 - (projects PID2019- 109403RB-C21 and PID2019-109403RB-C22)Junta de Castilla y León y Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) - (grant CLU2017-09, CL-EI-2021-07, UIC082