Polyamines are small, polycationic molecules required for growth and development and found in all living cells. In this study, the effects of two polyamine analogues, hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA), a differentiation inducer, and 7-[N-(3-aminopropyl)amino] heptan-2-one (APAH), an inhibitor of N8-acetylspermidine deacetylase, were studied using quantitative proteomics and stable-isotopes. Two new technologies, isotope-coded affinity tags (ICAT) and quantification in fragment spectra using isobaric stable isotope reagents (iTRAQ) were employed and compared. Quantitative results of these experiments showed few changes in the type and level of proteins detected in whole-cell extracts. Proteins from three populations of cells were studied, control (untreated), HMBA-treated, and HMBA plus APAH treated cells. Some of the proteins that were differentially expressed in response to these agents include pyruvate kinase (PK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), mini-chromosome maintenance protein 3 (MCM3), and poly-rC binding protein. The proteins PK and LDH have been reported as possible cancer markers. Histone protein levels were significantly reduced on HMBA treatment, and substantially recovered with the addition of APAH. This finding was very convincing in the iTRAQ work, but invisible to the ICAT experiment, because of the lack of cysteine residues required for quantification in the ICAT methodology. Two proteins were elevated in the HMBA-APAH experiment compared to the other two, heterogeneous nuclear ribonuclear protein C1/C2 (HNRP C1/C2) and ubiquitin. Considering their unique functions, the up-regulation of these proteins suggests the involvement of internal ribosome entry and protein degradation in response to APAH. The results of the two technologies, ICAT and iTRAQ, were found to overlap, but were partly complementary.

L’objectif de mon doctorat, réalisé dans le cadre d’une collaboration entre le laboratoire des protéines et nanotechnologies en sciences séparatives (institut Galien Paris-Sud) et le groupe Micro et Nano Système (institut d’électronique fondamentale) était d’étudier l’influence des monocouches autoassemblées, sur l’activité biologique du bio-récepteur dans une perspective de développement de biocapteur. Dans ce projet, nous avons choisi les organo-silanes qui peuvent se lier de manière covalente sur le silicium. Deux silanes (7-octenyl trichlorosilanes et le (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane) ont été étudiés, leur impact en terme de nature et de stabilité sur la fonctionnalité du bio-récepteur, des immunoglobulines G de souris, ont été évalué. Dans un premier temps, nous nous sommes intéressés à la fonctionnalité des anticorps greffés sur une mono couche auto-assemblée composée de 7-octenyltrichlorosilane (OTS) présentant à sa surface un groupement carboxylique. Une caractérisation spectroscopique par XPS et infra-rouge à transformé de Fourrier (FTIR) a tout d’abord été effectuée afin de vérifier la présence de ces groupements carboxyliques. L’homogénéité de la surface a été évaluée par AFM. Nous avons ensuite immobilisé ces anticorps, sur ces supports, de manière covalente et une étude topographique par AFM a été menée pour mesurer la répartition de ces anticorps. L’orientation des anticorps greffés a été évaluée à l’aide d’immuno-essais. Ensuite, nous avons comparé l’APTES, permettant l’obtention de plaques de silicium fonctionnalisé avec des groupements aminés à leur surface, avec l’OTS. Nous avons notamment comparé la capacité de capture des anticorps immobilisés sur ces deux types de silanes. Dans la dernière partie, l’impact du vieillissement d’un support immunologique préparé chimiquement en utilisant l’APTES a été évaluée sur le plan physico-chimique et biologique. / The aim of my PhD thesis, conducted as part of a collaboration between the laboratory of protein separation sciences and nanotechnology (Paris-Sud Galen Institute) and the Micro and Nano System (basic electronics institute) group was to study the influence of self-assembled monolayers on the biological activity of bioreceptor toward biosensor development. In this project, we choose the organosilanes that can bind covalently to the silicon. Two silanes (7-octenyl trichlorosilane(OTS) and 3- aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)) were studied., Their impact on the stability and the functionality of bio- receptor , model mouse immunoglobulin G (IgG), were evaluated. Spectroscopic characterization by XPS and infra- red Fourier transformed (FTIR) was first carried out to assess that the silanized surface exhibit carboxylic groups. The homogeneity of the surfaces was measured by AFM. Then, IgG were immobilized on these supports, covalently and a topographic AFM study was conducted to measure the distribution of these antibodies. The orientation of the grafted antibody was investigated by immune-enzymatic assays. We have also evaluated the binding capacity of the IgG immobilized on both surfaces. Then, the impact of aging on APTES surface was evaluated by spectroscopics and biological methods.

The ochratoxins, metabolites of certain Aspergillus and Penicillium species are the first group of mycotoxins discovered subsequent to the epoch-making discovery of the aflatoxins. Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a very important mycotoxin owing to its frequent occurrence in nature, its established role in Danish porcine nephropathy and in poultry mycotoxicoses and its implicated role in Balkan endemic nephropathy and urinary system tumors among population groups in North Africa. Chapters 2 and 3 highlight the importance of OTA and the research currently being done on mycotoxins. These efforts are focused on the molecular genetics of toxinogenic fungi; the mechanism of their action; species differences in metabolism and pharmacokinetics; quantification of mycotoxins; risk assessments on the exposure of man and animals to mycotoxins and regulations for the control of mycotoxin contamination. Methods developed to analyse OTA in different matrices by using reversed phase high performance-liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and tandem liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques are described in Chapter 10. Amino propyl solid phase extraction columns were used for the first time in cleanup steps of ochratoxin analysis. These techniques and methods were applied to the first survey on the levels of OTA in coffee on the South African retail market (Chapter 5). The results suggest that the levels of OT A in the coffee on the South African market are somewhat higher than the levels of OTA in coffees on the European market. The possibility to biologically produce different halogen-ochratoxins by supplementing the growth medium of Aspergillus ochraceus with halogen salts was investigated. Bromoochratoxin A was produced for the first time in this way. Supplementation of inoculated wheat with potassium iodide and -fluoride resulted in the poisoning of the yeast and no iodoor fluoro-ochratoxin B was produced. It was found that Aspergillus ochraceus produced OTA in higher yields at elevated levels of potassium chloride. This finding has important commercial applications in the production ofOTA (Chapter 4). The ochratoxins are hydrolyzed in vivo by carboxypeptidase A. The hydrolysis of the ochratoxins and analogues by carboxypeptidase A was measured in vitro in a structurefunction relation study by employing mass spectrometric techniques. The kinetic data of the ochratoxins were compared to the values of a number of synthesized structural analogues. It was found that the halogen containing analogues had lower turnovers than their des-halo analogues. There were no substantial differences in the kinetic data between the different halogen containing analogues (Chapter 8). The toxicokinetics of OTA in vervet monkeys were determined for the first time. The clearance of OTA from the plasma suggested a two-compartment model and the elimination half-life was determined to be 19-21 days. The half-life of OTA in humans was determined by allometric calculations to be 46 days. We came to the conclusion that the long term consumption of OT A contaminated foods will lead to potentially hazardous levels of the toxin in the body (Chapter 9). This hypothesis can be substantiated by the incidence of OTA in the blood of various population groups. Possible ways to decontaminate OT A contaminated foods by degrading the compound biologically with yeast; moulds or lipases to non-toxic compounds were investigated. Eight moulds, 323 yeasts and 23 lipases were screened for ochratoxin degradation. A lipase from Aspergillus niger is the first lipase that was proven to degrade OTA (Chapter 7). Four yeasts were found to degrade OT A of which one, Trichosporon mucoides degraded OTA substantially within 48 hours in a growing culture (Chapter 6). In addition to this first report of yeasts which have the ability to degrade OTA, the fungi Cochliobolus sativus, Penicillium islandicum and Metarhizium anispoliae also proved to degrade OT A. OT A was degraded in all instances to the non-toxic ochratoxin a and the amino acid phenylalanine. / Thesis (PhD (Chemistry))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2000

The ochratoxins, metabolites of certain Aspergillus and Penicillium species are the first group of mycotoxins discovered subsequent to the epoch-making discovery of the aflatoxins. Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a very important mycotoxin owing to its frequent occurrence in nature, its established role in Danish porcine nephropathy and in poultry mycotoxicoses and its implicated role in Balkan endemic nephropathy and urinary system tumors among population groups in North Africa. Chapters 2 and 3 highlight the importance of OTA and the research currently being done on mycotoxins. These efforts are focused on the molecular genetics of toxinogenic fungi; the mechanism of their action; species differences in metabolism and pharmacokinetics; quantification of mycotoxins; risk assessments on the exposure of man and animals to mycotoxins and regulations for the control of mycotoxin contamination. Methods developed to analyse OTA in different matrices by using reversed phase high performance-liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and tandem liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques are described in Chapter 10. Amino propyl solid phase extraction columns were used for the first time in cleanup steps of ochratoxin analysis. These techniques and methods were applied to the first survey on the levels of OTA in coffee on the South African retail market (Chapter 5). The results suggest that the levels of OT A in the coffee on the South African market are somewhat higher than the levels of OTA in coffees on the European market. The possibility to biologically produce different halogen-ochratoxins by supplementing the growth medium of Aspergillus ochraceus with halogen salts was investigated. Bromoochratoxin A was produced for the first time in this way. Supplementation of inoculated wheat with potassium iodide and -fluoride resulted in the poisoning of the yeast and no iodoor fluoro-ochratoxin B was produced. It was found that Aspergillus ochraceus produced OTA in higher yields at elevated levels of potassium chloride. This finding has important commercial applications in the production ofOTA (Chapter 4). The ochratoxins are hydrolyzed in vivo by carboxypeptidase A. The hydrolysis of the ochratoxins and analogues by carboxypeptidase A was measured in vitro in a structurefunction relation study by employing mass spectrometric techniques. The kinetic data of the ochratoxins were compared to the values of a number of synthesized structural analogues. It was found that the halogen containing analogues had lower turnovers than their des-halo analogues. There were no substantial differences in the kinetic data between the different halogen containing analogues (Chapter 8). The toxicokinetics of OTA in vervet monkeys were determined for the first time. The clearance of OTA from the plasma suggested a two-compartment model and the elimination half-life was determined to be 19-21 days. The half-life of OTA in humans was determined by allometric calculations to be 46 days. We came to the conclusion that the long term consumption of OT A contaminated foods will lead to potentially hazardous levels of the toxin in the body (Chapter 9). This hypothesis can be substantiated by the incidence of OTA in the blood of various population groups. Possible ways to decontaminate OT A contaminated foods by degrading the compound biologically with yeast; moulds or lipases to non-toxic compounds were investigated. Eight moulds, 323 yeasts and 23 lipases were screened for ochratoxin degradation. A lipase from Aspergillus niger is the first lipase that was proven to degrade OTA (Chapter 7). Four yeasts were found to degrade OT A of which one, Trichosporon mucoides degraded OTA substantially within 48 hours in a growing culture (Chapter 6). In addition to this first report of yeasts which have the ability to degrade OTA, the fungi Cochliobolus sativus, Penicillium islandicum and Metarhizium anispoliae also proved to degrade OT A. OT A was degraded in all instances to the non-toxic ochratoxin a and the amino acid phenylalanine. / Thesis (PhD (Chemistry))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2000

Orientador: Devaney Ribeiro do Carmo / Banca: Newton Luiz Dias Filho / Banca: André Luís dos Santos / Resumo: O presente trabalho descreve a preparação, caracterização e as aplicações eletroanalíticas de silsesquioxanos e dendrímeros modificados suportados na superfície da sílica gel. A primeira etapa consistiu em ancorar o silsesquioxano ([H2N(CH2)3]8Si8O12) e o dendrímero Hexadecaamino Poli(propileno)imina (DAB-Am- 16) na superfície da 3-cloropropil sílica gel. Os materiais obtidos, SAC e SD, respectivamente, foram caracterizados pelas técnicas de Infravermelho (FTIR), RMN 29Si e 13C no estado sólido e Energia Dispersiva de Raios-X (EDX). A segunda etapa foi interagir o SAC e o SD com íons de Cu2+ e Ni2+ e posterior complexação com substâncias eletroativas, tais como: ferricianeto de potássio e nitroprussiato de sódio formando, dessa forma, os complexos binucleares: CuHCFSAC, NiHCFSAC, CuNPSAC, CuHCFSD, NiHCFSD e CuNPSD que foram caracterizados por Infravermelho (FTIR) e voltametria cíclica (VC). Os espectros na região do Infravermelho dos materiais supracitados exibiram freqüências próximas ou iguais a 2090 cm-1, atribuídas ao estiramento n(C N) característico do hexacianoferrato e nitroprussiato formados na superfície da SAC e SD. Utilizou-se estes materiais na construção do eletrodo de pasta de grafite os quais foram testados na oxidação eletrocatalítica de substâncias biologicamente importantes tais como a dipirona sódica e nitrito de sódio após um rigoroso estudo sobre o comportamento voltamétrico. O eletrodo de pasta de grafite contendo o CuHCFSAC exibiu dois pares redox com potenciais médios (Em) de: (Em)1= 0,29 V e (Em)2= 0,72 V vs Ag/AgCl (KCl =1.0 molL-1; v = 20 mV s-1) ambos atribuídos aos processos redox Cu(I)/Cu(II) e [Fe(II)(CN)6]4- / [Fe(III)(CN)6]3-, respectivamente, valores estes bem próximos para o CuHCFSD. Os eletrodos de NiHCFSAC e NiHCFSD exibiram... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This work describes the preparation, characterization and electroanalytical properties of modified silsesquioxanes and dendrimers supported onto the silica gel surface. The first step was to anchor the silsesquioxane [(H2N(CH2)3] 8Si8O12) and dendrimer Hexadecaamino Poly(propylene)imine (DAB-Am-16) onto the 3-chloropropyl silica gel surface. The materials obtained, SAC and SD, respectively, were characterized by infrared (FTIR), 29Si NMR and 13C solid state and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX). The second step was interact the SAC and SD with Cu2+ and Ni2+ ions and subsequent complexation with electroactive substances, such as: ferricyanide of potassium and sodium nitroprusside forming binuclear complexes: CuHCFSAC, NiHCFSAC, CuNPSAC, CuHCFSD, NiHCFSD and CuNPSD which were characterized by Infrared (FTIR) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The spectra in the infrared region of the above materials exhibited frequencies near or equal to 2090 cm-1 assigned to stretching n(C N) characteristic of nitroprusside and hexacyanoferrate formed onto the SD and SAC surface. We used these materials in the construction of carbon paste electrode which were tested in the electrocatalytic oxidation of biologically important substances such as sodium dipyrone and sodium nitrite after a rigorous study about voltammetric behavior. The graphite paste electrode containing CuHCFSAC exhibited two redox couples with midpoint potentials (Em) of: (Em)1 = 0.29 V and (Em)2 = 0.72 V vs. Ag/AgCl (KCl = 1.0 mol L-1, v = 20 mV s-1) both assigned to the redox processes Cu(I)/Cu(II) and [Fe(II)(CN)6]4- / [Fe(III)(CN)6]-3, respectively, values very near to the CuHCFSD. The electrodes of NiHCFSAC and NiHCFSD each exhibited two redox couples with midpoint potentials (Em): (Em)1 = 0.29 V and (Em)2 = 0.51 V vs Ag/AgCl (KCl = 1.0 mol L-1, v = 20 mV s- 1) both... (Summary complete electronic access click below) / Mestre

En France, les anciennes mines d'uranium et leurs eaux d'exhaure font l'objet d’une surveillance environnementale dû à la présence de stériles miniers qui peuvent modifier la chimie des eaux en augmentant leur concentration en uranium. Afin de pouvoir rejeter des eaux dans le milieu naturel dont les concentrations en U(VI) soient conformes aux normes, des stations de traitement ont été mises en place. Cependant, une future règlementation diminuera drastiquement la limite autorisée de rejet en uranium impliquant une révision des méthodes d'élimination de celui-ci. L'adsorption aqueuse est une méthode efficace et peu couteuse. Les matériaux à mésoporosité ordonnée présentent des propriétés d'adsorption intéressantes à cause de leurs propriétés texturales et leurs possibles fonctionnalisations. Plusieurs familles de matériaux mésoporeux (silices fonctionnalisées ou non, carbones, oxyde de magnésium) ont été synthétisées, caractérisées et utilisées pour adsorber U(VI). Des études en batch et en dynamique ont été réalisées à partir de solutions reconstituées et d'eaux d'exhaure issues du site de Bellezane (87) sur les différents matériaux choisis, et les mécanismes d'adsorption ont été étudiés en fonction de la spéciation aqueuse de l'uranium et de la présence d'ions compétiteurs. Les résultats ont montré que la SBA-15 greffée avec des fonctions aminopropyles, présentait les meilleures capacités d'adsorption à pH 6. Il a été montré que l'U(VI) s'adsorbait par formation de complexe de sphère interne dans la mésoporosité du matériau, et que la présence de complexes entre l'U(VI) et les carbonates dissous diminuait significativement la capacité d'adsorption du matériau en U(VI). / In France, former uranium mines and their draining effluents are kept under environmental monitoring due to the presence of mine tailings which can modify the chemistry of surface waters and increase their uranium concentration. In order to decrease the U(VI) concentration to the one set by the standards, water treatment facilities are used. However, an incoming regulation will drastically decrease the allowed U(VI) concentration in the released water, implying the changing of the current U(VI) removal methods. Aqueous adsorption is known to be an efficient and non expensive method. Ordered mesoporous materials have interesting adsorption properties due to their textural properties and their ability to be functionalized. Different types of mesoporous materials (functionalized or non functionalized silica, carbon, magnesium oxide) were synthesized, characterized, and experimented as U(VI) adsorbents. Studies made in batch and dynamic modes were achieved from reconstituted solutions and mine-water from the Bellezane's site (87), on the different materials, and adsorption mechanisms were studied in function of the aqueous uranium speciation and the presence of competitive ions. Results show that aminopropyl grafted SBA-15 displays the best adsorption capacities at pH 6. It is also shown that U(VI) adsorption proceeds through the formation of inner-sphere complex inside of the mesoporosity of the material, and that the presence of complexes involving U(VI) and dissolved carbonates significantly decrease the adsorption capacity of the material toward U(VI).

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:25:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-10-01Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:14:08Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 gabrieljunior_s_me_ilha.pdf: 1458989 bytes, checksum: 61fbe8b93b56e59134558e478f7ab91e (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O presente trabalho descreve a preparação, caracterização e as aplicações eletroanalíticas de silsesquioxanos e dendrímeros modificados suportados na superfície da sílica gel. A primeira etapa consistiu em ancorar o silsesquioxano ([H2N(CH2)3]8Si8O12) e o dendrímero Hexadecaamino Poli(propileno)imina (DAB-Am- 16) na superfície da 3-cloropropil sílica gel. Os materiais obtidos, SAC e SD, respectivamente, foram caracterizados pelas técnicas de Infravermelho (FTIR), RMN 29Si e 13C no estado sólido e Energia Dispersiva de Raios-X (EDX). A segunda etapa foi interagir o SAC e o SD com íons de Cu2+ e Ni2+ e posterior complexação com substâncias eletroativas, tais como: ferricianeto de potássio e nitroprussiato de sódio formando, dessa forma, os complexos binucleares: CuHCFSAC, NiHCFSAC, CuNPSAC, CuHCFSD, NiHCFSD e CuNPSD que foram caracterizados por Infravermelho (FTIR) e voltametria cíclica (VC). Os espectros na região do Infravermelho dos materiais supracitados exibiram freqüências próximas ou iguais a 2090 cm-1, atribuídas ao estiramento n(C N) característico do hexacianoferrato e nitroprussiato formados na superfície da SAC e SD. Utilizou-se estes materiais na construção do eletrodo de pasta de grafite os quais foram testados na oxidação eletrocatalítica de substâncias biologicamente importantes tais como a dipirona sódica e nitrito de sódio após um rigoroso estudo sobre o comportamento voltamétrico. O eletrodo de pasta de grafite contendo o CuHCFSAC exibiu dois pares redox com potenciais médios (Em) de: (Em)1= 0,29 V e (Em)2= 0,72 V vs Ag/AgCl (KCl =1.0 molL-1; v = 20 mV s-1) ambos atribuídos aos processos redox Cu(I)/Cu(II) e [Fe(II)(CN)6]4- / [Fe(III)(CN)6]3-, respectivamente, valores estes bem próximos para o CuHCFSD. Os eletrodos de NiHCFSAC e NiHCFSD exibiram... / This work describes the preparation, characterization and electroanalytical properties of modified silsesquioxanes and dendrimers supported onto the silica gel surface. The first step was to anchor the silsesquioxane [(H2N(CH2)3] 8Si8O12) and dendrimer Hexadecaamino Poly(propylene)imine (DAB-Am-16) onto the 3-chloropropyl silica gel surface. The materials obtained, SAC and SD, respectively, were characterized by infrared (FTIR), 29Si NMR and 13C solid state and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX). The second step was interact the SAC and SD with Cu2+ and Ni2+ ions and subsequent complexation with electroactive substances, such as: ferricyanide of potassium and sodium nitroprusside forming binuclear complexes: CuHCFSAC, NiHCFSAC, CuNPSAC, CuHCFSD, NiHCFSD and CuNPSD which were characterized by Infrared (FTIR) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The spectra in the infrared region of the above materials exhibited frequencies near or equal to 2090 cm-1 assigned to stretching n(C N) characteristic of nitroprusside and hexacyanoferrate formed onto the SD and SAC surface. We used these materials in the construction of carbon paste electrode which were tested in the electrocatalytic oxidation of biologically important substances such as sodium dipyrone and sodium nitrite after a rigorous study about voltammetric behavior. The graphite paste electrode containing CuHCFSAC exhibited two redox couples with midpoint potentials (Em) of: (Em)1 = 0.29 V and (Em)2 = 0.72 V vs. Ag/AgCl (KCl = 1.0 mol L-1, v = 20 mV s-1) both assigned to the redox processes Cu(I)/Cu(II) and [Fe(II)(CN)6]4- / [Fe(III)(CN)6]-3, respectively, values very near to the CuHCFSD. The electrodes of NiHCFSAC and NiHCFSD each exhibited two redox couples with midpoint potentials (Em): (Em)1 = 0.29 V and (Em)2 = 0.51 V vs Ag/AgCl (KCl = 1.0 mol L-1, v = 20 mV s- 1) both... (Summary complete electronic access click below)

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Polysiloxanes represent a unique class of synthetic polymers, employing a completely inorganic backbone structure comprised of repeating –(Si–O)n– 'siloxane' main chain linkages. This results in an assortment of diverse properties exclusive to the siloxane bond that clearly distinguish them from the –(C–C)n– backbone of purely organic polymers. Previous work has elucidated a methodology for fabricating flexible and elastic crosslinked poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) constructs with high Mc through a simultaneous crosslinking and chain-extension methodology. However, these constructs suffer the poor mechanical properties typical of lower molecular weight crosslinked siloxanes (e.g. modulus, tear strength, and strain at break). Filled PDMS networks represent another important class of elastomers in which fillers, namely silica and siloxane-based fillers, impart improved mechanical properties to otherwise weak PDMS networks. This work demonstrates that proper silicon-based reinforcing agent selection (e.g. siloxane-based MQ copolymer nanoparticles) and incorporation provides a synergistic enhancement to mechanical properties, whilst maintaining a low viscosity liquid composition, at high loading content, without the use of co-solvents or heating. Rheological analysis evaluates the viscosity while photorheology and photocalorimetry measurements evaluate rate and extent of curing of the various MQ-loaded formulations, demonstrating theoretical printability up to 40 wt% MQ copolymer nanoparticle incorporation. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and tensile testing evaluated thermomechanical and mechanical properties of the cured nanocomposites as a function of MQ loading content, demonstrating a 3-fold increase in ultimate stress at 50 wt% MQ copolymer nanoparticle incorporation. VP AM of the 40 wt% MQ-loaded, photo-active PDMS formulation demonstrates facile amenability of photo-active PDMS formulations with high MQ-loading content to 3D printing processes with promising results. PDMS polyureas represent an important class of elastomers with unique properties derived from the synergy between the nonpolar nature, unusual flexibility, and low glass transition temperature (Tg) afforded by the backbone siloxane linkages (-Si-O)n- of PDMS and the exceptional hydrogen bond ordering and strength evoked by the bidentate hydrogen bonding of urea. The work herein presents an improved melt polycondensation synthetic methodology, which strategically harnesses the spontaneous pyrolytic degradation of urea to afford a series of PDMS polyureas via reactions at high temperatures in the presence of telechelic amine-terminated oligomeric poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS1.6k-NH2) and optional 1,3-bis(3-aminopropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane (BATS) chain extender. This melt polycondensation approach uniquely circumvents the accustomed prerequisite of isocyanate monomer, solvent, and metal catalysts to afford isocyanate-free PDMS polyureas using bio-derived urea with the only reaction byproduct being ammonia, a fundamental raw ingredient for agricultural and industrial products. As professed above, reinforcement of polysiloxane materials is ascertained via the incorporation of reinforcing fillers or nanoparticles (typically fumed silica) or blocky or segmented development of polymer chains eliciting microphase separation, in order to cajole the elongation potential of polysiloxanes. Herein, a facile approach is detailed towards the synergistic fortification of PDMS-based materials through a collaborative effort between both primary methods of polysiloxane reinforcement. A novel one-pot methodology towards the facile, in situ incorporation of siloxane-based MQ copolymer nanoparticles into segmented PDMS polyureas to afford MQ-loaded thermoplastic and thermoplastic elastomer PDMS polyureas is detailed. The isocyanate-free melt polycondensation achieves visible melt dispersibility of MQ copolymer nanoparticles (good optical clarity) and affords segmented PDMS polyureas while in the presence of MQ nanoparticles, up to 40 wt% MQ, avoiding post-polymerization solvent based mixing, the only other reported alternative. Incorporation of MQ copolymer nanoparticles into segmented PDMS polyureas provides significant enhancements to modulus and ultimate stress properties: results resemble traditional filler effects and are contrary to previous studies and works discussed in Chapter 2 implementing MQ copolymer nanoparticles into chemically-crosslinked PDMS networks. In situ MQ-loaded, isocyanate-free, segmented PDMS polyureas remain compression moldable, affording transparent, free-standing films. / Master of Science / Polysiloxanes, also referred to as 'silicones' encompass a unique and important class of polymers harboring an inorganic backbone. Polysiloxanes, especially poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) the flagship polymer of the family, observe widespread utilization throughout industry and academia thanks to a plethora of desirable properties such as their incredible elongation potential, stability to irradiation, and facile chemical tunability. A major complication with the utilization of polysiloxanes for mechanical purposes is their poor resistance to defect propagation and material failure. As a result polysiloxane materials ubiquitously observe reinforcement in some fashion: reinforcement is achieved either through the physical or chemical incorporation of a reinforcing agent, such as fumed silica, or through the implementation of a chemical functionality that facilitates reinforcement via phase separation and strong associative properties, such as hydrogen bonding. This research tackles polysiloxane reinforcement via both of these strategies. Facile chemical modification permits the construction PDMS polymer chains that incorporate hydrogen bonding motifs, which phase separate to afford hydrogen bond-reinforced phases that instill vast improvements to elastic behavior, mechanical and elongation properties, and upper-use temperature. Novel nanocomposite formulation through the incorporation of MQ nanoparticles (which observe widespread usage in cosmetics) facilitate further routes toward improved mechanical and elongation properties. Furthermore, with growing interest in additive manufacturing strategies, which permit the construction of complex geometries via an additive approach (as opposed to conventional manufacturing processes, which require subtractive approaches and are limited in geometric complexity), great interest lies in the capability to additively manufacture polysiloxane-based materials. This work also illustrates the development of an MQ-reinforced polysiloxane system that is amenable to conventional vat photopolymerization additive manufacturing: chemical modification of PDMS polymer chains permits the installation of UV-activatable crosslinking motifs, allowing solid geometries to be constructed from a liquid precursor formulation.