The Use of Thin-Film Polymeric Surfaces to Model Quorum Sensing Capabilities in Bacterial Bioflims
Additional Funding Sources
This project was supported by an Undergraduate Research Grant from the Office of Undergraduate Research at the University of Idaho.
Abstract
The surface of thin-film polymer brushes is analogous to naturally occurring, ubiquitous, bacterial biofilms. Bacterial biofilms rely heavily on their ability to shuttle hormones through the polymeric surface of bacterial biofilms. This phenomenon is known as quorum sensing which functions to regulate gene expression and allows the biofilm to better adapt to its environment. The intention of this research project is to use synthetic thin-film polymeric surfaces to model such capabilities. The project thus far has primarily utilized the living radical polymerizations of poly(2-hydroxyl ethyl methacrylate) (poly(HEMA)) on silicon wafer surfaces due to its terminal hydroxyl group and high potential for post-polymerization functionalization. The surfaces of the poly(HEMA) brushes have been functionalized with several acyl chloride groups of differing carbon-chain lengths. These surfaces are currently undergoing characterization with the use of Atomic Force Microscopy. The wetting properties of these functionalized surfaces are being determined using contact angle measurements and goniometry. Further characterization will be done utilizing Raman Spectroscopy as well as fluorescent microscopy. This will facilitate our capability to use the thin-film polymeric surfaces to model quorum sensing capabilities in bacterial biofilms.
The Use of Thin-Film Polymeric Surfaces to Model Quorum Sensing Capabilities in Bacterial Bioflims
The surface of thin-film polymer brushes is analogous to naturally occurring, ubiquitous, bacterial biofilms. Bacterial biofilms rely heavily on their ability to shuttle hormones through the polymeric surface of bacterial biofilms. This phenomenon is known as quorum sensing which functions to regulate gene expression and allows the biofilm to better adapt to its environment. The intention of this research project is to use synthetic thin-film polymeric surfaces to model such capabilities. The project thus far has primarily utilized the living radical polymerizations of poly(2-hydroxyl ethyl methacrylate) (poly(HEMA)) on silicon wafer surfaces due to its terminal hydroxyl group and high potential for post-polymerization functionalization. The surfaces of the poly(HEMA) brushes have been functionalized with several acyl chloride groups of differing carbon-chain lengths. These surfaces are currently undergoing characterization with the use of Atomic Force Microscopy. The wetting properties of these functionalized surfaces are being determined using contact angle measurements and goniometry. Further characterization will be done utilizing Raman Spectroscopy as well as fluorescent microscopy. This will facilitate our capability to use the thin-film polymeric surfaces to model quorum sensing capabilities in bacterial biofilms.
Comments
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