Laser Thin Film Processing of Biopolymers: Mussel Adhesive Protein Analog
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0897-J06-02.1
Laser Thin Film Processing of Biopolymers: Mussel Adhesive Protein Analog A. Doraiswamy1, R. J. Narayan1 C. Dinu2 R. Cristescu3 P.B. Messersmith4 S. Stafslien5, D.B. Chrisey5 1
Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. Max Plank Institute, Dresden, Germany. 3 Plasma and Radiation Physics, National Institute for Lasers, Bucharest, Romania. 4 Biomedical Engineering Department, Northwestern University, USA 5 Center for Nanoscale Science & Engineering, North Dakota State University, ND, USA. 2
ABSTRACT Mussel adhesive protein analogs are biologically-derived materials that possess unique adhesion properties. We have demonstrated thin film growth of DOPA modified- PEG block copolymer mussel adhesive protein analogs using a novel laser processing technique known as matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE). The main functional groups of the mussel adhesive protein analog are present in the MAPLEtransferred film. These novel polymer thin films have numerous medical, electronic, and marine applications. INTRODUCTION The use of conventional synthetic adhesives is laden with many environmental and health problems. Many of the solvents, monomers, and additives used in synthetic adhesives have been associated with respiratory injury and systemic toxicity [1-2]. Mussel adhesive protein is an environmentally friendly formaldehyde-free adhesive that is found in the attachment plaque on the byssal threads of several mussel species, including Mytilus edulis [3]. These materials form water insoluble, three-dimensional networks when the dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) groups undergo oxidation reactions, chelate with metal ions, undergo quinone redox reactions, and form hydrogen bonds. Mussel proteins have several advantages over conventional synthetic adhesives. Mussel adhesive proteins can bond metals, polymers, and living tissues, including highly hydrophobic polymers (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene) used in electronics and medicine [4,5]. However, natural mussel adhesive proteins are expensive and difficult to isolate. In fact, ten thousand mussels are required to extract one gram of natural mussel adhesive protein [6,7]. For this reason, synthetic polymer systems containing l-DOPA groups have been developed to mimic the structure and properties of naturally occurring proteins. Novel techniques must be developed to allow mussel adhesive proteins to be used in a practical and economical manner. Matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) is a novel technique developed previously for thin film processing of biomaterials [8]. Here, we develop thin film coatings of synthetic mussel proteins using the MAPLE technique and perform surface profilometry, spectrometry, and antifouling adhesion studies.
0897-J06-02.2
EXPERIMENTALS Mussel protein analog modified polymer mPEG-DOPA3 was prepared as described in [9]. The polymer was then solvated with ethyl acetate into a 2% solution. The solvated polymer solution was frozen in liquid nitrogen within an aluminum target holder, and mou
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