Orientador: Sonia Maria Alves Bueno / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-06T20:08:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Bresolin_IgorTadeuLazzarotto_M.pdf: 4686617 bytes, checksum: ed7a688421b5d854024279523878c12a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: Anticorpos monoclonais são imunoglobulinas secretadas por clones de linfócitos B, normais, tumorais ou obtidos pela tecnologia de hibridomas. Os anticorpos monoclonais têm sido utilizados nas áreas analítica e terapêutica, o que implica na necessidade de sua obtenção com pureza superior a 95%. Muitos estudos têm sido realizados visando à purificação de anticorpos monoclonais, destacando-se as técnicas de adsorção seletiva, como as cromatografias de troca iônica, hidrofóbica e de afinidade. Neste trabalho aplicou-se a cromatografia de afinidade em membranas de álcool polietileno-vinílico (PEVA), comparando o desempenho dos agentes quelantes (AQ) ácido iminodiacético (IDA), ácido aspártico carboximetilado (CM-Asp) e tris-2(aminoetil)amina (TREN) com íons metálicos imobilizados na purificação de anticorpos monoclonais anti-TNP, isotipo IgG1 a partir de sobrenadante de cultura celular precipitado e dialisado. Para determinar as melhores condições de adsorção e eluição na presença de diferentes sistemas tamponantes, foram testados os quelatos AQ-Ni2+, AQ-Zn2+ e AQ-Co2+, bem como os agentes quelantes sem metal imobilizado como grupos ionogênicos. De acordo com eletroforeses SDS-PAGE e análises ELlSA das frações dos picos de proteína obtidos, as melhores condições utilizadas para a purificação foi o uso de membranas PEVA-IDA-sem metal e PEVA-CM-Asp-Zn2+, em presença de tampão Tris-HCI 50 mM a pH 7,0 e eluição por aumento de concentração de Tris, atingindo fatores de purificação de 138,9 e 103,8 e pureza de 92,3% e 68,1%, respectivamente. A partir das isotermas de adsorção, determinou-se a capacidade máxima de adsorção e a constante de dissociação dos complexos IDA-lgG1 e CM-Asp-Zn2+ -lgG1 que, de acordo com o ajuste dos parâmetros pelo modelo de Langmuir, mostraram alta capacidade de adsorção e constantes de dissociação características de sistemas de afinidade média. Com o módulo de fibras ocas, construído em nosso laboratório, determinaram-se as curvas de ruptura por meio de experimentos de filtração para os processos propostos, e os resultados obtidos demonstraram que os sistemas de fibras ocas PEVA-IDA e PEVA-GM-Asp-Zn2+ são factíveis para a purificação de anticorpos monoclonais do isotipo IgG1 / Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies are immunoglobulins produced by normal, tumoral or hybrids Iymphocytes 8 obtained by hibridoma technology. Hybridomas are resulted from the fusion of Iymphocytes B with malignant myeloma cells which express both the Iymphocyte's property of specific-antibody production and the immortal characteristic of the myeloma cells. Monoclonal antibodies have been used in analytic and therapeutic areas. This application needs highly pure antibodies. Many techniques have been studied focusing monoclonal antibodies purification. These techniques include ion exchange, hydrophobic and affinity chromatography. In this study, we applied polyethylenevinyl alcohol (PEVA) membranes in the purification of monoclonal antibody from cel! culture supematant comparing the chelating agents Iminodiacetic Acid (IDA), Carboxy-methyl Aspartic Acid (CM-Asp) and Tris-2(aminoethyl)amine) (TREN) with different immobilized metal ios, Ni2+, Zn2+ and C02+, and with different buffers. We also evaluated the adsorption and purification of monoclonal antibodies using the chelating agents as ionogenic groups. According to SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and ELlSA analysis, the higher selectivity was obtained in the presence of 50 mM Tris-HCI buffer, pH 7,0 and with elution by increasing Tris concentration, with CM-Asp-Zn2+ and IDA as ionogenic group, which provided the purification of IgG with traces of albumin, reaching purification factors of 138.9 and 103.8 and purities of 92.3% and 68.1, respectively. The adsorbent capacity and the dissociation constant of the complexes IDA-lgG1 e CM-Asp-Zn2+ -lgG1 were determinate from adsorption isotherms. According to Langmuir model, the results indicated that the matrix presents high adsorption capacity and a dissociation constant characteristic for intermediate affinity systems. We also evaluated the breaktrough curves for the proposed processes. These breaktrough curves are important to scale up procedure / Mestrado / Desenvolvimento de Processos Biotecnologicos / Mestre em Engenharia Química

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / Nesta dissertaÃÃo sÃo apresentados resultados de espalhamento Raman em cristais de Ãcido DL-aspÃrtico sob diversas condiÃÃes de temperatura. O Ãcido DL-aspÃrtico (C4H7NO4) cristaliza-se no grupo espacial C2h6 com oito molÃculas por cÃlula unitÃria, existindo portanto 128 Ãtomos na cÃlula unitÃria que darÃo origem a 384 modos normais de vibraÃÃo. Destes um total de 192 modos sÃo Raman ativos, que poderiam ser observados nos espectros nÃo polarizados, mas que por diversos fatores apenas parte desses modos à observada. Fez-se a identificaÃÃo tentativa de todos os modos normais de vibraÃÃo que aparecem no intervalo espectral entre 50 e 3200cm-1 e um estudo com variaÃÃo de temperatura entre 10 e 433K. O intervalo compreendido entre 0 e 150 cm-1 à de extrema importÃncia para detecÃÃes de transiÃÃes de fase estrutural pois contÃm os modos de vibraÃÃo da rede. No caso do Ãcido DL-aspÃrtico ocorreu uma inversÃo de intensidade para os modos em 82 e 87 cm-1, considerando os extremos do intervalo de temperatura medido. Tal inversÃo foi interpretada como uma pequena mudanÃa conformacional, nada associado a transiÃÃo. Com exceÃÃo desse fato nÃo ocorreram anomalias, nem aparecimento ou surgimento de modos nessa regiÃo, o que apontou para a estabilidade do material. Outro evento ocorreu nessa regiÃo: as bandas em 116 e 132 cm-1, bastante distintas a baixÃssimas temperaturas (< 150 K) tornam-se indistinguÃveis a 200 K. Tal fato nÃo pode ser associado a uma transiÃÃo de fase pois o prÃprio alargamento das linhas, consequÃncia do aumento da temperatura, implica a superposiÃÃo dos modos. Some-se a isso o fato de que nas vibraÃÃes de torÃÃo do NH3 e rocking do CO2â (modos associados Ãs ligaÃÃes de hidrogÃnio) ter-se observado linearidade nas curvas frequÃncia-temperatura. Por fim realizou-se um estudo de calorimetria diferencial de varredura, confirmando-se o que havia sido observado pela espectroscopia Raman â a estabilidade da estrutura em todo o intervalo de temperatura investigado. / This dissertation presents the results of Raman scattering in crystals of DL-aspartic acid under various temperature conditions. The DL-aspartic acid (C4H7NO4) crystallizes in space group C2h6 with eight molecules per unit cell, so there are 128 atoms in the unit cell that give rise to 384 normal modes of vibration. Of these modes a total of 192 modes are Raman active, which could be observed in not polarized spectra, but by various factors only some of these modes are observed. We did an attempt identification of all normal modes of vibration that appears in the spectral range between 50 and 3200cm-1 and a study with variation in temperature between 10 and 433 K. The interval between 0 and 150 cm-1 is extremely important for detection of phase transitions because it contains the structural modes of vibration of the lattice. In the case of DL-aspartic acid there was a reversal of intensity for the modes at 82 and 87 cm-1, in considering the extremes of temperature interval measured. This reversal was interpreted as a small conformational change, not associated with a phase transition. With exception of this reversal there were not anomalies, not appearance or disappearance of modes in this region, which pointed to the stability of the material. Another event occurred in this region: the bands at 116 and 132 cm-1, very different at very low temperatures (< 150 K) become indistinguishable at 200 K. This fact can not be associated with a phase transition because the broadening of bands, arising from increasing temperatures, implies the superposition of modes. Added to this there is the fact that the torsional vibrations of the NH3+ and rocking of CO2- (modes associated with hydrogen bonds) behaved linearly in frequency-temperature curves. Finally we did a study of differential scanning calorimetry, which confirmed what had been observed by Raman spectroscopy - the stability of the structure throughout the temperature range investigated.

Esta pesquisa bibliográfica teve o propósito de elucidar a via do acido aspártico, apontando como fonte deste estudo os cereais. O objetivo principal desta pesquisa consistiu em estudar a via do acido aspártico, visando descrever uma variedade de técnicas de engenharia genética e bioquímicas que podem ser empregadas para aumentar a qualidade nutricional de cereais, podendo, assim, compreender o que acarreta o aumento do acumulo de lisina, metionina e treonina nos grãos para suprir essa necessidade na formação de uma proteína balanceada nutricionalmente. Foi realizada uma busca exaustiva em bases de dados Google Scholar, Portal Capes, ISI web of Science, no período de publicação de 1970 a 2012. Foram adotados textos de referencia internacional e nacional. Esta pesquisa foi dividida em três etapas: via do acido aspártico e seus aminoácidos derivados em plantas superiores de 1970 a 1997, via metabólica do acido aspártico no período de 1997 a 2006 e estratégias interessantes para aumentar o nível dos aminoácidos essenciais da via do acido aspártico em plantas no período de 2006 ate o momento. A primeira etapa foi desenvolvida relatando o acido aspártico como precursor dos aminoácidos essenciais: metionina, lisina, treonina e isoleucina. Entre os essenciais, a lisina e um dos mais estudados devido a escassez em muitos cereais, o que contribuiu para o estudo extensivo da via do acido aspártico, revelando, assim, a importância da aspartato quinase (AK), homoserina desidrogenase (HSDH) e dihidrodipicolinato sintase (DHDPS) como enzimas chaves para a regulação da síntese de lisina. A aspartato quinase (AK) exerce um controle sobre via do acido aspártico. A enzima dihidrodipicolinato sintase (DHDPS) regula a síntese de lisina. Na segunda etapa foi apresentada a importância dos aminoácidos sintetizados nas plantas através de complexas vias metabólicas que são controladas por enzimas, intermediários, substratos e aminoácidos. Este estudo também relata os aspectos importantes para uma melhor compreensão da síntese e o acumulo de aminoácidos solúveis e incorporados em proteínas. A terceira etapa foi apresentar estratégias interessantes para utilização em estudos, visando aumentar o nível de aminoácidos essenciais através da manipulação de genes já existentes, como também a introdução de genes estranhos nas plantas. Devido a importância nutricional, essa via tem sido extensivamente estudada, utilizando técnicas de engenharia genética e bioquímica. Pesquisadores tem apresentado esforços considerados no estudo desta via a fim de contribuir para futuras manipulações genéticas, cujo objetivo e produzir plantas com alto conteúdo de lisina, metionina e treonina. / The aim of this research was to elucidate the aspartate metabolic pathway using grains of cereal as a source of study. Therefore, it was necessary to understand the aspartate metabolic pathway in order to depict various biochemical and genetic techniques which can be used to enhance the nutritional value in cereals. After studying theses issues, it was possible to understand the results of having cereals with a high lysine, methionine, and threonine content, so that grains can have balanced protein content. For that reason, an exhaustive research was done by using international and national scientific data published in 1970 to 2012. These data were found in Google Scholar, Portal Capes, and ISI Web of Science. This research was divided in three parts: studies of aspartate metabolic pathway and their essential amino acids derived from plants published in 1970 to 1997, studies of aspartate metabolic pathway published in the period of 1997 to 2006, and interesting strategies to enhance the level of essential amino acids of the aspartate metabolic pathway in plants from 2006 to this moment. Firstly, this investigation reported about the aspartic acid as a precursor of essential amino acids such as methionine, lysine, threonine, and isoleucyne. Among the essential amino acids, lysine has been the most researched due to its lack in many kinds of grains. Needless to say, it has contributed to the intensive study showing the relevancy of aspartate kinase (AK), homoserine dehydrogenase (HSDH), dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS), as key enzymes for lysine regulation. The aspartate kinase (AK) has an important role on the aspartate metabolic pathway, meanwhile the dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS) is intrinsically involved on lysine synthesis regulation. Secondly, this investigation presented the importance of the amino acids which are synthesized by plants through metabolic pathways that are controlled by enzymes, intermediates, substrates, and amino acids. In addition, this research reported relevant aspects whereby scientists can improve their understanding about the synthesis and accumulation of soluble amino acids which are incorporated in proteins. Finally, the third part showed interesting strategies which can be used in future researches in order to increase not only the level of essential amino acids by manipulating genes, but also the introduction of odd genes in plants. Given the nutritional relevancy, this pathway has been extensively investigated by using techniques used by biochemical and genetic engineering. Hence, researchers have demonstrated a considerable effort on this matter contributing for future genetic manipulations, so that plants with high lysine, methionine, and threonine content can be produced.

The goal of cancer chemotherapy is to develop effective, safe, and well-tolerated medications. The over-expression of certain receptors on cancer cell membrane provides a basis for active targeting by not only specific interaction between drug delivery system and cells, but also facilitated cellular uptake via receptor-mediated endocytosis. In this study, LDV oligomers up to six LDV repeating units were synthesized via solid phase peptide synthesis method, and evaluated as drug carrier as well as targeting moiety to deliver doxorubicin (Dox) to human malignant melanoma cells (A375), which over-express integrin α 4 β 1 . Cells expressing different levels of integrin α 4 β 1 or modulated using integrin α 4 -specific siRNA knock-down technique were verified by western blot and PCR. Magnetic beads with tripeptides LDV, VDL, or LNV on the surface were used in the binding specificity studies. Results verified that LDV was the minimally required ligand sequence for the specific binding to integrin α 4 β 1 , of which the interaction depends on the amount of integrin and can be utilized for the design of targeted drug delivery. The studies on A375 cells uptake of FITC-labeled LDV oligomers examined the effects of EDTA, temperature, endocytosis inhibitor, and competitive ligand. Cellular uptake mechanism was revealed to be temperature-dependent, receptor-mediated endocytosis, involving the specific interaction between LDV and integrin α 4 β 1 . The internalization extent of LDV monomer was the highest and was also inhibited to the most by the addition of free LDV when compared to other LDV oligomers. Cytotoxicity profiles of Dox-conjugated LDV oligomers were obtained on wild-type A375, integrin α4 knock-down A375, and normal human epithelial keratinocytes (NHEK) using SRB assay. A significant decrease (3∼6 folds) in the cytotoxicity of oligo(LDV)-Dox on A375 cells were observed when the integrin α4 expression was knocked down by ∼50%. Cytotoxicity further decreased on NHEK, which has the lowest integrin α4 expression among three cell lines. In contrast to oligo(LDV)-Dox, free Dox was not able to differentiate between cancerous and normal cells. This result demonstrated the potential of oligo(LDV) as targeting ligand. However, increase of repeating LDV unit did not lead to any apparent trend in cytotoxicity capacity. To facilitate the intracellular Dox release, hydrazone bond (HYD) was introduced between LDV and Dox. In vitro Dox release profiles in pH 6.0, 7.4, and rat plasma proved the pH-sensitivity of LDV-HYD-Dox. Cytotoxicity studies showed an increased cytotoxic effect of LDV-HYD-Dox when compared with LDV-Dox on wild-type A375 (2.5 times), knock-down A375 (1.5 times); while no significant difference in cytotoxicity on NHEK was observed. In vivo animal study supported the in vitro findings on LDV-HYD-Dox, which showed a significant inhibition of tumor growth and longest mice life span when compared to free Dox, poly(L,D,V)-Dox, and LDV-Dox, with averagely only ¼ of the tumor size and almost twice the life span of that from the free Dox group. In conclusion, based on the concept of specific interaction between LDV and integrin α 4 β 1 , oligo(LDV)-Dox targeted drug delivery system was developed and proved to be effective in the delivery of Dox to melanoma cells.

This diploma thesis deals with the efficiency and factors affecting the adsorption of AOM (Algal Organic Matter) amino acids (AAs) arginine (Arg), phenylalanine (Phe) and aspartic acid (Asp) onto granular activated carbon (GAC) Picabiol 12x40 (PIC). The efficiency of AOM AAs removal was studied in laboratory equilibrium and kinetic experiments and it was shown that the adsorption efficiency of the selected AAs is dependent on the structure of the molecule of AAs and the nature of the functional groups of their side chain, and more particularly to solution pH, which determines the nature and size and surface charge of AAs and GAC. In contrast to this, the ionic strength (IS) of solution had relatively low effect on the AAs adsorption. Arg adsorption efficiency increased with increasing pH and reached a maximum at pH 9, where AAs and GAC were oppositely charged, and this leads to attractive electrostatic interactions. In the case of Asp adsorption on PIC practically did not work. The reason is that under all experimental conditions Asp molecules and the surface of the PIC carried identical negative charge. This led to the strong electrostatic repulsion between Asp and PIC which prevented effective adsorption. In the case of Phe the adsorption decreases with increasing pH. Maximum adsorption...

Natural plant growth regulators (phytohormones) are a group of organic compounds which, in very small amounts, act as regulators of physiological processes in plants.Methods were developed for the analysis of phytohormones in samples from Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris (L.) Karst»). Identification of abscisic acid, 3-indoleacetic acid, gibbe-rellin Ag and the conjugate N-(3-indoleacetyl)aspartic acid was performed by GC-MS as their methyl esters. A quantitative determination of abscisic acid was made by GC-ECD and this method was also applied to anther samples of Anemone canadensis. 3-Indole-acetic acid and N-(3-indoleacetyl)aspartic acid were quantified by reversed-phase HPLC and spectrofluorimetric detection. Dichlorophene, used as a growth regulator in containerized seedlings of pine and spruce, was analysed by GC-MID in peat and paper. / digitalisering@umu

Στην παρούσα διατριβή παρουσιάζεται μια νέα μεθοδολογία σύνθεσης μη-πρωτεϊνικών αμινοξέων (ΜΠΑ) κατάλληλων για εφαρμογές στην πεπτιδική σύνθεση με χρήση του ασπαραγινικού οξέος ως χειρόμορφου εκμαγείου. Η μεθοδολογία αυτή βασίζεται στην επιτυχή και σε καλές αποδόσεις σύνθεση της β-αλδεΰδης του Ν-τριτυλοασπαραγινικού τριτ-βουτυλεστέρα, η οποία αποτελεί την ένωση «κλειδί». Αυτή στη συνέχεια έδωσε μια ποικιλία νέων ΜΠΑ μέσω αντιδράσεων Wittig, Horner-Emmons ή με επίδραση οργανοψευδραργυρικών αντιδραστηρίων. Ανάλογες μελέτες με σκοπό την σύνθεση των αντίστοιχων ομολόγων τους με έναν άνθρακα λιγότερο ή περισσότερο στην πλευρική αλυσίδα, ξεκινώντας από σερίνη ή γλουταμινικό οξύ δεν απέδωσαν τα αναμενόμενα αποτελέσματα ή ήταν ανεπιτυχείς. / In the present dissertation a new methodology is reported for the synthesis of novel non-proteinogenic amino acids (NPAAs) suitable for applications in solid phase peptide synthesis. This methodology involves aspartic acid as chiral template and relies on the successful and in good yields pepraration of the key N-tritylaspartic tert-butyl ester’s β-aldehyde, which when followed by Wittig, Horner-Emmons or Grignard type reactions may result in a variety of new NPAAs. Furthermore unsuccessful attempts towards the application of the present methodology for the synthesis of NPAA homologues bearing one carbon atom less or more in the side chain by using as chiral templates serine or glutamic acid, respectively, are also reported.

L’Opacification Capsulaire Postérieure (OCP) est la fibrose de la capsule développée sur la lentille intraoculaire implantée (LIO) suite à la dé-différenciation de cellules épithéliales cristalliniennes (LECs) subissant une transition épithélio-mésenchymateuse (EMT). La littérature a montré que l'incidence de l’OCP est multifactorielle, dont l'âge ou la maladie du patient, la technique de chirurgie, le design et le matériau de la LIO. La comparaison des LIOs en acryliques hydrophiles et hydrophobes montre que les premières ont une OCP plus sévère, médiée par la transition EMT. En outre, il est également démontré que l'adhérence des LECs est favorisée sur des matériaux hydrophobes par rapport à ceux hydrophiles. Une stratégie biomimétique destinée à promouvoir l’adhérence des LECs sans dé-différenciation en vue de réduire le risque de développement de l’OCP est proposée. Dans cette étude, les peptides RGD, ainsi que les méthodes de greffage et de quantification sur un polymère acrylique hydrophile ont été étudiés. La surface fonctionnalisée des LIOs favorisant l'adhérence des LECs via les récepteurs de type intégrine peut être utilisée pour reconstituer la structure capsule-LEC-LIO en sandwich, ce qui est considéré dans la littérature comme un moyen de limiter la formation de l‘OCP. Les résultats montrent que le biomatériau innovant améliore l'adhérence des LEC, et présente également les propriétés optiques (transmission de la lumière , banc optique) similaires et mécaniques (force haptique de compression, force d'injection de la LIO) comparables à la matière de départ. En outre, par rapport au matériau hydrophobe IOL, ce biomatériau bioactif présente des capacités similaires vis à vis de l’adhérence des LECs, le maintien de la morphologie, et l'expression de biomarqueurs de l’EMT. Les essais in vitro suggèrent que ce biomatériau a le potentiel de réduire certains facteurs de risque de développement de l’OCP. / Posterior Capsular Opacification (PCO) is the capsule fibrosis developed onto the implanted IntraOcular Lens (IOL) by the de-differentiation of Lens Epithelial Cells (LEC) undergoing Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). Literature has shown that the incidence of PCO is multifactorial including patient’s age or disease, surgical technique, and IOL design and material. Reports comparing hydrophilic and hydrophobic acrylic IOLs show the former has more severe PCO after EMT transition. Additionally, the LEC adhesion is favored onto the hydrophobic materials compared to the hydrophilic ones. A biomimetic strategy to promote LEC adhesion without de-differentiation to reduce PCO development risk is proposed. RGD peptides, as well as their grafting and quantification methods on a hydrophilic acrylic polymer were investigated. The surface functionalized IOL promoting LEC adhesion via integrin receptors can be used to reconstitute the capsule-LEC-IOL sandwich structure, which is considered to prevent PCO formation in literature. The results show the innovative biomaterial improves LEC adhesion, and also exhibits similar optical (light transmittance, optical bench) and mechanical (haptic compression force, IOL injection force) properties comparing to the starting material. In addition, comparing to the hydrophobic IOL material, this bioactive biomaterial exhibits similar abilities in LEC adhesion, morphology maintenance, and EMT biomarker expression. The in vitro assays suggest this biomaterial has the potential to reduce some risk factors of PCO development.

No description available.

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Synthese und den Eigenschaften von doppelthydrophilen Blockcopolymeren und ihrer Anwendung in einem biomimetischen Mineralisationsprozeß von Calciumcarbonat und Bariumsulfat. Doppelthydrophile Blockcopolymere bestehen aus einem hydrophilen Block, der nicht mit Mineralien wechselwirkt und einem zweiten Polyelektrolyt-Block, der stark mit Mineraloberflächen wechselwirkt. Diese Blockcopolymere wurden durch ringöffnende Polymerisation von N-carboxyanhydriden (NCA′s) und a-methoxy-ω-amino[poly(ethylene glycol)] PEG-NH2 als Initiator hergestellt.<br /> Die hergestellten Blockcopolymere wurden als effektive Wachstumsmodifikatoren für die Kristallisation von Calciumcarbonat und Bariumsulfat Mineralien eingesetzt. Die so erhaltenen Mineralpartikel (Kugeln, Hantel, eiförmige Partikel) wurden durch Lichtmikroskopie in Lösung, SEM und TEM charakterisiert. Röntgenweitwinkelstreuung (WAXS) wurde verwendet, um die Modifikation von Calciumcarbonat zu ermitteln und die Größe der Calciumcarbonat- und Bariumsulfat-Nanopartikel zu ermitteln. / This work describes the synthesis and characterization of double hydrophilic block copolymers and their use in a biomimetic mineralization process of Calcium Carbonate and Barium Sulfate.<br /> Double hydrophilic block copolymers consist of a hydrophilic block that does not interact with minerals and another hydrophilic polyelectrolyte block that strongly interacts with mineral surfaces. These polymers were synthesised via ring opening polymerisation of N-carboxyanhydride (NCA), and the first hydrophilic block a-methoxy-ω-amino[poly(ethylene glycol)] PEG-NH2 was used as an initiator.<br /> The prepared block copolymers were used as effective crystal growth modifiers to control the crystallization of Calcium Carbonate and Barium Sulfate minerals. The resulting mineral particles (spheres, dumbbells, egg-like particles) were characterised by light microscopy in solution, by SEM, and by TEM. X-Ray scattering measurements (WAXS) were used to prove the modification of Calcium Carbonate particles and to calculate the size of Calcium Carbonate and Barium Sulfate nanoparticles.