Search results for "Macromolecule"

Macromolecules in Microfluidics: A Synergy for Systems Engineering

2017

MRI-Visible Poly(ε-caprolactone) with Controlled Contrast Agent Ratios for Enhanced Visualization in Temporary Imaging Applications

2013

International audience; Hydrophobic macromolecular contrast agents (MMCAs) are highly desirable to provide safe and efficient magnetic resonance (MR) visibility to implantable medical devices. In this study, we report on the synthesis and evaluation of novel biodegradable poly(ε-caprolactone)-based MMCAs. Poly(α-propargyl-ε-caprolactone-co-ε-caprolactone)s containing 2, 5, and 10 mol % of propargyl groups have been prepared by ring-opening copolymerization of ε-caprolactone and the corresponding propargylated lactone. In parallel, a diazido derivative of the clinically used diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)/Gd3+ complex has been synthesized. Finally, MRI-visible poly(ε-caprolactone)…

Novel polyaminoacidic copolymers as nonviral gene vectors

2000

Human gene therapy is one of the most promising methods developed in recent years, providing great potential for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Complexes formed between DNA and cationic polymers are attracting increasing attention as novel synthetic vectors for the delivery of genes. We have synthesized polycations with quaternary ammonium groups in their side chains for self-assembly with calf thymus DNA. This paper describes the functionalization of α,β-polyasparthydrazide (PAHy), a synthetic macromolecule having many potential applications in the field of biomedical sciences, with glycidyltrimethylammonuim chloride (GTA) in order to introduce positive charges into their chains. …

CO rebinding kinetics and molecular dynamics simulations highlight dynamic regulation of internal cavities in human cytoglobin

2013

Abstract: Cytoglobin (Cygb) was recently discovered in the human genome and localized in different tissues. It was suggested to play tissue-specific protective roles, spanning from scavenging of reactive oxygen species in neurons to supplying oxygen to enzymes in fibroblasts. To shed light on the functioning of such versatile machinery, we have studied the processes supporting transport of gaseous heme ligands in Cygb. Carbon monoxide rebinding shows a complex kinetic pattern with several distinct reaction intermediates, reflecting rebinding from temporary docking sites, second order recombination, and formation (and dissociation) of a bis-histidyl heme hexacoordinated reaction intermediate…

Hyperbranched Polyglycerols: From the Controlled Synthesis of Biocompatible Polyether Polyols to Multipurpose Applications

2009

Dendritic macromolecules with random branch-on-branch topology, termed hyperbranched polymers in the late 1980s, have a decided advantage over symmetrical dendrimers by virtue of typically being accessible in a one-step synthesis. Saving this synthetic effort once had an unfortunate consequence, though: hyperbranching polymerization used to result in a broad distribution of molecular weights (that is, very high polydispersities, often M(w)/M(n)5). By contrast, a typical dendrimer synthesis yields a single molecule (in other words, M(w)/M(n) = 1.0), albeit by a labor-intensive, multistep process. But 10 years ago, Sunder and colleagues reported the controlled synthesis of well-defined hyperb…

Synthesis and Supramolecular Association of Immobilized NCN-Pincer Platinum(II) Complexes on Hyperbranched Polyglycerol Supports

2004

Pertosylation of hyperbranched polyglycerol (M(n)=2000; M(w)/M(n)=1.3) followed by partial displacement of the tosyl groups with carboxylic acid functionalized NCN-pincer platinum(II) complexes [PtI-2,6-(NMe(2)CH(2))(2)C(6)H(2)-4-COOH], resulted in covalent attachment of the NCN-pincer complexes to the polyglycerol. These functionalized hyperbranched macromolecules have been characterized by (1)H, (13)C, and (195)Pt NMR, UV-visible, and IR spectroscopy. The presence of Pt and I atoms renders them directly visible by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) without staining procedures, which offers images of associated hyperbranched macromolecules. TEM micrographs show disk-shaped structures w…

Controlled Crystallization of CaCO3on Hyperbranched Polyglycerol Adsorbed to Self-Assembled Monolayers

2005

The formation of biominerals by living organisms is governed by the cooperation of soluble and insoluble macromolecules with peculiar interfacial properties. To date, most of the studies on mineralization processes involve model systems that only account for the existence of one organic matrix and thus disregard the interaction between the soluble and insoluble organic components that is crucial for a better understanding of the processes taking place at the inorganic-organic interface. We have set up a model system composed of a matrix surface, namely, a self-assembled monolayer (SAM), and a soluble component, hyperbranched polyglycerol. The model mineral calcium carbonate displays diverse…

New biodegradable hydrogels based on an acryloylated polyaspartamide cross-linked by gamma irradiation

1999

Alpha, beta-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)-DL-aspartamide (PHEA), a synthetic biocompatible macromolecule, was functionalized with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) in order to introduce in its side chains residues having double bonds and ester groups. The copolymer (PHG), obtained from PHEA and GMA, had a degree of derivatization of 29 mol%. PHG aqueous solutions are cross-linked by gamma radiation at 0 degrees C either in the presence or absence of N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) giving rise to new hydrogel systems. In both cases gelation occurs at quite low doses (0.26 and 0.4 kGy, respectively). The obtained networks were characterized by FT-IR spectrophotometry which confirmed that the cross-linki…

Evidence for the formation of covalent bonds between macromolecules in the domain of the wall of Candida albicans mycelial cells

1989

An O-glycosylated mannoprotein, after its incorporation into the wall, showed an increase in its molecular weight, due at least to its association with N-glycosidic sugar chain(s). This was shown by rendering the material soluble after partial degradation of the wall structure. At present it is unknown whether this phenomenon is due to an additional transglycosylation process or whether the partial degradation of the wall solubilizes a supramolecular structure formed between the original O-glycosylated protein which becomes linked either directly or indirectly through a protein to the N-sugar chain(s).

1972

The present paper demonstrates theoretically as well as experimentally, that the gravitational field of the earth produces very pronounced changes in the equilibrium concentration of dissolved macromolecules with height, under near critical conditions. Thus it could be observed for the system polystyrene/cyclohexane that the equilibrium concentration at the bottom of a tube is approximately three times that at a height of 10 cm, under such conditions. In the case of polymolecular samples the sedimentation is associated with a corresponding fractionation. Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt sowohl theoretisch als auch experimentell, das das Schwerefeld der Erde unter annahernd kritischen Bedingunge…