Macromolecular biomaterials often require covalent crosslinking to achieve adequate stability and mechanical strength for their given application. However, the use of auxiliary chemicals may be associated with long-term toxicity in the body. Oppositely-charged polyelectrolytes (PEs) have the advantage that they can self-crosslink electrostatically and those derived from marine organisms are an inexpensive alternative to glycosaminoglycans present in the extracellular matrix of human tissues. A range of different combinations of PEs and preparation conditions have been reported in the literature. However, although there has been some work on complex formation between chitosan (CS) and carrageenan (CRG), much of the work undertaken has ignored the effect of pH on the consequent physicochemical properties of self-crosslinked polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) gels, films and scaffolds. Chitosan is a positively-charged polysaccharide with NH3+ side groups derived from shrimp shells and, carrageenan is a negatively-charged polysaccharide with OSO3- side groups derived from red seaweed. These abundant polysaccharides possess advantageous properties such as biodegradability and low toxicity. However, at present, there is no clear consensus on the cell binding properties of CS and CRG or CS-CRG PEC materials. The aim of this study was to explore the properties of crosslinker-free PEC gels, solvent-cast PEC films and freeze-dried PEC scaffolds based on CS and CRG precursors for medical applications. The objective was to characterise the effect of pH of the production conditions on the physicochemical and biological properties of CS-CRG PECs. Experimental work focused on the interaction between PEs, the composition of PECs, the rheological properties of PEC gels and the mechanical properties of PEC films and scaffolds. In addition, cell and protein attachment to the PEC films was assessed to determine their interactions in a biological environment. For biomedical applications, these materials should ideally be stable when produced such that they can be processed to form either a film or a scaffold and have mechanical properties comparable to those of collagenous soft tissues. FTIR was used to confirm PEC formation. Zeta potential measurements indicated that the PECs produced at pH 2-6 had a high strength of electrostatic interaction with the highest occurring at pH 4-5. This resulted in stronger intra-crosslinking in the PEC gels which led to the formation of higher yield, solid content, viscosity and fibre content in PEC gels. The weaker interaction at pH 7-12 resulted in higher levels of CS incorporated into the complex and the formation of inter-crosslinking through entanglements between PEC units. This resulted in the production of strong and stiff PEC films and scaffolds appropriate for soft tissue implants. The PECs prepared at pH 7.4 and 9 also exhibited low swelling and mass loss, which was thought to be due to the high CS content and entanglements. From the range of samples tested, the PECs produced at pH 7.4 appeared to show the optimum combination of yield, stability and homogeneity for soft tissue implants. Biological studies were performed on CS, CRG and PECs prepared at pH 3, 5, 7.4 and 9. All of the PE and PEC films were found to be non-cytotoxic. When the response of three different cell types and a high binding affinity protein (tropoelastin) was evaluated; it was found that the CS-CRG PEC films displayed anti-adhesive properties. Based on these experimental observations and previous studies, a mechanistic model of the anti-adhesive behaviour of PEC surfaces was proposed. It was therefore concluded that the CS-CRG PECs produced might be suitable for non-biofouling applications.

Foram estudadas as propriedades ácido-base de alguns polieletrólitos de interesse ambiental; no sentido de se avaliar a adequabilidade do modelo de sítios discretos na determinação e caracterização dos grupos ionizáveis presentes nestas macromoléculas. Estudou-se os seguintes sistemas de polieletrólitos: ácido húmico comercial (Aldrich) e extraído de vermicomposto (Humus de minhoca); microalga Spirulina (cianobactéria), ácido algínico e ácido poliacrílico de massas molares 2000 e 250000g/mol. Foram realizadas titulações potenciométricas alcalimétricas em diferentes meios iônicos à 25°C com os compostos acima citados. Os dados obtidos foram tratados por linearização (Funções de Gran Modificadas) e regressão não-linear. Os resultados obtidos pelo ácido húmico extraído de vermicomposto (humus de minhoca) e da microalga Spirulina mostraram-se indepentes da força iônica; indicando que o modelo de sítios discretos representa adequadamente os dados experimentais. Para as demais amostras, a estequiometria dos grupos determinados mostrou-se independente do meio iônico, porém os valores de pKa foram bastante afetados, devido à forte influência das interações eletrostáticas decorrentes da acumulação de cargas sobre as macromoléculas durante as titulações. Comparativamente os resultados obtidos tanto por regressão não linear como pelas Funções de Gran modificadas foram similares. / Acid base properties of some polyeletrolytes and colloidal suspensions were studied to evaluate the suitability of discrete site distribution model to fit potentiometric data for determination and characterization of ionizable groups presents in these materials. The polyelectrolytes studied were: commercial humic acid from Aldrich, humic acid isolated from vermicompost, mixed species of microalgae Spirulina, alginic acid and polyacrylic acid of molar masses 2000 and 250000 g/mol. Potentiometric titrations were performed in different ionic media to evaluate the effect of eletrostatic interactions on the titration data. Titrations were perfomed at 25°C, and the data were treated bya linear method based on Modified Gran Functions, as well as by a multiparametric Non-Linear Regression method. The results obtained for the vermicompost humic acid and Spirulina were independent of the ionic strength, suggesting that the chemical heterogeneity plays the major role in the acid base properties of these materials. Thus, the discrete site distribution model is well suited to characterize these materials. For the other polyelectrolytes studied, the influence of eletrostatic interactions was noticed. The discrete site distribution model was able to determine the total stoichiometry of the ionizable groups, but the ionization constants and the distribution of site concentration were dependent on the ionic strength and molar mass of these polyelectrolyte.

Cette thèse propose tout d’abord une méthode originale, appelée 2 en 1, de construction contrôlée, couche-par-couche, de films de polyélectrolytes, basée sur le dépôt d’un unique complexe polycation-polyanion. Détaillée dans le cas du poly(éthylènedioxythiophène)-poly(styrènesulfonate) PEDOT-PSS, la méthode est ensuite étendue avec le même succès à d’autres complexes (poly(éthylèneimine) branché-poly(4 styrènesulfonate), poly(diallyldiméthylammonium)-poly(4 styrènesulfonate) et poly(allylamonium)-poly(4 styrènesulfonate)).Les films 2 en 1 de PEDOT PSS sont robustes vis-à-vis d’un recuit thermique et possèdent une conductivité électronique indépendante de leur épaisseur. Cette conductivité peut être améliorée en utilisant un composite contenant des nanoparticules d’or Au Np PEDOT PSS. Des superstructures alternant dépôts de PEDOT PSS et de composite ont, en outre, pu être construites.La construction est contrôlée non seulement sur des substrats rigides (verre, wafer de silicium) mais également sur des substrats élastomère de type silicone (polydiméthylsiloxane PDMS). Le traitement du PDMS par polymérisation plasma d’EDOT sous vide permet le dépôt subséquent de films 2 en 1 de PEDOT PSS. Par ailleurs, la pulvérisation cathodique d’or sur le PDMS permet d’obtenir des conducteurs étirables, de surcroît utilisables comme substrats de films 2 en 1 de PEDOT PSS.Enfin, de nouveaux complexes aqueux synthétisés par voie chimique à partir d’EDOT et d’un polysaccharide (sulfate de chondroïtine A) ont conduit à des films présentant une très bonne conduction qui peut être augmentée par inclusion de nanoparticules d’or. Ces nouveaux composés sont porteurs d’un potentiel très prometteur. / This thesis proposes firstly an original method, called 2 in 1 method, for controlled, layer-by-layer, polyelectrolytes film buildup, based on the deposition of a sole polycation-polyanion complex. Detailed on the case of poly(ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT-PSS), the method was then extended with the same success to other complexes (branched poly(ethyleneimine)-poly(4 styrenesulfonate), poly(diallyldimethylammonium)-poly(4 styrenesulfonate) and poly(allylamonium)-poly(4 styrenesulfonate)).The 2 in 1 PEDOT PSS films are robust regarding thermal annealing and have an electronic conductivity independent of their thickness. This conductivity can be improved by using a composite containing gold nanoparticles Au Np PEDOT PSS. Superstructures alternating PEDOT PSS and composite depositions were also obtained.Film buildup is controlled not only on rigid substrates (glass, silicon wafer) but also on elastomeric substrates of the silicon type (polydimethylsiloxane PDMS). The treatment of PDMS by vacuum plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of EDOT allows subsequent deposition of 2 in 1 PEDOT-PSS films. Besides, gold sputter deposition on PDMS reaches stretchable conductors. Gold sputtered PDMS can further act as a substrate for 2 in 1 PEDOT-PSS films.Finally, new aqueous complexes, chemically synthesized from EDOT and a polysaccharide (chondroitin sulfate A), lead to films which exhibit a very good conduction, which can be improved by the inclusion of gold nanoparticles. These new complexes are very promising in the field of conductive biomaterials.

Polymer/inorganic nanoparticle hybrid thin films, primarily composed of functional inorganic nanoparticles, are of great interest to researchers because of their interesting electronic, photonic, and optical properties. In the past two decades, layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly has become one of the most powerful techniques to fabricate such hybrid thin films. This method offers an easy, inexpensive, versatile, and robust fabrication technique for multilayer formation, with precisely controllable nanostructure and tunable properties. In this thesis, various ways to control the structure of hybrid thin films, primarily composed of polyelectrolytes and indium tin oxide (ITO), are the main topics of study. ITO is one of the most widely used conductive transparent oxides (TCOs) for applications such as flat panel displays, photovoltaic cells, and functional windows. In this work, polyethyleneimine (PEI) was used to stabilize the ITO suspensions and improve the film buildup rate during the LbL assembly of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and ITO. The growth rate was doubled due to the stronger interaction forces between the PSS and PEI-modified ITO layer. The assembly of hybrid films was often initiated by a polyelectrolyte precursor layer, and the characteristics of the precursor layer were found to significantly affect the assembly of the hybrid thin films. The LbL assembly of ITO nanoparticles was realized on several substrates, including cellulose fibers, write-on transparencies, silicon wafers, quartz crystals, and glasses. By coating the cellulose fibers with ITO nanoparticles, a new type of conductive paper was manufactured. By LbL assembly of ITO on write-on transparencies, transparent conductive thin films with conductivity of 10⁻⁴ S/cm and transparency of over 80 % in the visible range were also prepared. As a result of this work on the mechanisms and applications of LbL grown films, the understanding of the LbL assembly of polyelectrolytes and inorganic nanoparticles was significantly extended. In addition to working with ITO nanoparticles, this thesis also demonstrated the ability to grow bicomponent [PEI/SiO₂]n thin films. It was further demonstrated that under the right pH conditions, these films can be grown exponentially (e-LbL), resulting in much thicker films, consisting of mostly the inorganic nanoparticles, in much fewer assembly steps than traditional linearly grown films (l-LbL). These results open the door to new research opportunities for achieving structured nanoparticle thin films, whose functionality depends primarily on the properties of the nanoparticles.

Ένα σημαντικό πρόβλημα που αντιμετωπίζουν οι εταιρείες άντλησης πετρελαίου στα φρεάτια εξόρυξης είναι η συμπαραγωγή άμμου μαζί με το πετρέλαιο. Το φαινόμενο παρατηρείται κυρίως σε περιοχές άντλησης όπου το πετρέλαιο βρίσκεται εγκλωβισμένο σε αμμώδεις περιοχές (ψαμμιτικοί ταμιευτήρες). Το αντλούμενο πετρέλαιο συμπαρασύρει μαζί του κόκκους άμμου, οι οποίοι εισχωρούν στον μηχανολογικό εξοπλισμό της εξόρυξης προκαλώντας βλάβες. Αυτό έχει ως αποτέλεσμα την επιβράδυνση της παραγωγής πετρελαίου καθώς επίσης και την αύξηση του κόστους. Σε μερικές περιπτώσεις έχουν καταγραφεί και φαινόμενα κατάρρευσης των τοιχωμάτων του φρεατίου λόγω υπερβολικής διείσδυσης άμμου στα φρεάτια. Το κίνητρο της παρούσας εργασίας είναι η ανάπτυξη μιάς εναλλακτικής και ταυτόχρονα οικονομικής μεθόδου ελέγχου συμπαραγωγής της άμμου. Η μέθοδος στηρίζεται στην εναπόθεση, μέσω της επιτόπου καταβύθισης, ενός δυσδιάλυτου ανόργανου άλατος επάνω στην επιφάνεια των κόκκων άμμου, οι οποίοι μέσω της κρυσταλλικής τους ανάπτυξης σχηματίζουν «γέφυρες» με γειτονικούς κόκκους με αποτέλεσμα την συσσωμάτωση τους. Ένα πολύμορφο του φωσφορικού ασβεστίου, ο υδροξυαπατίτης (ΗΑΡ, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) σε συνδυασμό με φορτισμένα οργανικά μακρομόρια (κολλαγόνο, πρωτείνες), είναι το κύριο συστατικό των οστών και των δοντιών, δηλαδή περιοχών του σώματος όπου απαιτούνται υψηλές μηχανικές ιδιότητες. Για τον λόγο αυτό, το φωσφορικό ασβέστιο επιλέχθηκε ως το πλέον κατάλληλο γι’αυτή την διεργασία. Προκειμένου να μειώσουμε το κόστος καθώς επίσης και να προσεγγίσουμε περισσότερο της συνθήκες σχηματισμού του στους έμβιους οργανισμούς, αντί για κολλαγόνο ή πρωτείνες εισάγαγαμε χαμηλού κόστους πολυηλεκτρολύτες οι οποίοι περιέχουν στη δομή τους τις ίδιες χαρακτηριστικές ομάδες (αμινομάδες, καρβοξυλομάδες). Οι πολυηλεκτρολύτες που επιλέχθηκαν ήταν το πολυακρυλικό οξύ (ΡΑΑ), η πολυαλλυλαμίνη (ΡΑΗ) και η πολυαιθυλενιμίνη (ΡΕΙ). Η παρούσα έρευνα εστιάστηκε κυρίως στον προσδιορισμό των συνθηκών καταβύθισης του ΗΑΡ, καθώς επίσης και στην επίδραση που επιφέρει η παρουσία των τριών πολυηλεκτρολυτών (ΡΑΑ, ΡΑΗ, ΡΑΗ) στην δυνατότητα εναπόθεσης του στην επιφάνεια των κόκκων άμμου. Οι πολυηλεκτρολύτες αλληλεπιδρούν και με την επιφάνεια του υποστρώματος (πυριτική άμμος) και με το σχηματιζόμενο φωσφορικό ασβέστιο. Οι αλληλεπιδράσεις αυτές μελετήθηκαν κυρίως μέσω πειραμάτων ρόφησης και πειραμάτων διαλείποντος έργου σε συνθήκες χαμηλού υπερκορεσμού προκειμένου να ερευνηθεί ο μηχανισμός επίδρασης των πολυηλεκτρολυτών στον σχηματισμό του φωσφορικού ασβεστίου. Η επίδραση των πολυηλεκτρολυτών στις μηχανικές ιδιότητες των καταβυθιζόμενων κρυστάλλων μελετήθηκε μέσω πειραμάτων διαλείποντος έργου σε συνθήκες υψηλού υπερκορεσμού. Τέλος, με βάση τα εξαγόμενα συμπεράσματα σχετικά με την επίδραση των πολυηλεκτρολυτών στην εναπόθεση του φωσφορικού ασβεστίου στους κόκκους άμμου, πραγματοποιήθηκαν πειράματα συσσωμάτωσης σε κλίνες πληρωμένες με άμμο προκειμένου να διαπιστώσουμε την αποτελεσματικότητα της παρούσας μεθόδου. / The objective goal of the present work is the formation of complex deposits of calcium phosphate salts and polymers on grain surfaces of a nonconsolidated material in order a strong consolidated medium to be obtained. In nature, interactions between calcium phosphate salts and organic macromolecules control important functions such as formation of bones and teeth. These organic macromolecules primarily consist of proteins, which usually contain carboxyl and amino groups on their molecular structure. In a series of laboratory experiments the nature mechanisms are mimed by replacing the proteins with a typical polyelectrolyte, such us polyacrylic acid and polyethylenimine, which contain carboxyl and amino groups respectively, phosphate salts and. As unconsolidated porous medium a granular sandpack was used. The effect polyacrylic acid, polyallylamine hydrochloride and polyethylenimine on the formation kinetics as well as the effect on the morphology of the precipitated crystals was investigated through a series of batch experiments. The kinetic study was performed via an in-situ monitoring of the pH, because the formation of calcium phosphate is accompanied with changes of the pH value. The morphology as well as the crystallinity of the precipitated crystals where analyzed using different techniques, such us powder XRD and SEM. Study of the mechanical properties of the precipitated salts at high concentration batch experiments, where performed in a mechanical stress device (MTS) and compressive strengths up to 500 atm were observed.

Cette thèse présente une étude de la structure de solutions de polyélectrolytes (PEs) dans les liquides ioniques (LIs) et de la structure locale des LIs en présence de PEs. Les techniques de diffusion de rayons X et de neutrons ont été principalement utilisées pour cette étude. Dans une première partie, la capacité des LIs à former des « clusters » à l’échelle nanoscopique est démontrée. Dans une seconde partie, l’influence de la nature des contreions et du solvant sur le comportement du polystyrène sulfonate (PSS) en solution est abordée. La conformation moyenne du PSS et son état de dispersion dans les milieux aqueux et organiques sont alors explorés dans une troisième partie. Une étude similaire pour le cas spécifique des milieux LIs est présentée dans une quatrième partie. Finalement, d’autres polymères, chargés ou neutres, en solution dans les LIs, sont considérés dans une cinquième et dernière partie. / In this thesis the structure of polyelectrolyte (PE) solutions in ionic liquids (ILs) and mutual influence of bothcomponentsthe local structure of the latter in the presence of PEs are studied. X-ray and neutron scatteringtechniques have been mainly used for the present investigation. In a first part, the ability of considered ILs toform clusters at nanoscale is demonstrated. In a second part, the influence of the nature of counterions andthe solvent on the polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) behavior in solution is tackled. PSS average conformation anddispersion state in aqueous and organic media are then explored in a third part. A similar investigation, carriedout on the specific case of PSS in IL media, is described in a fourth part. Finally, other polymers, both chargedand neutral, in IL solutions are considered in a fifth and last part.

Dans le domaine des biomatériaux, cette thèse s’intéresse à l’influence de l’élasticité du substrat sur la division et la plasticité de la chromatine de cellules épithéliales. La létalité des cellules est corrélée aux faibles rigidités des substrats. Cependant, quelques cellules tumorales SW480, incluant celles portant des anomalies de ségrégation des chromosomes, progressent en mitose. Ces anomalies seraient à l’origine de réarrangements chromosomiques, sources de nombreuses mutations. Les substrats mous conduisent à la formation d’hétérochromatine tandis que les substrats très mous induisent la nécrose des cellules PtK2. Sur ces substrats, l’euchromatine est maintenue après inhibition de HDAC, permettant aux cellules de résister à la nécrose, indépendamment de la compétence transcriptionnelle du noyau. Ces cellules s’étalent à nouveau après transfert sur un substrat rigide. Ces résultats suggèrent 1) une voie de signalisation entrante initiée par le substrat conduisant à la nécrose via la formation d’hétérochromatine 2) une voie de signalisation sortante initiée par l’euchromatine permettant la survie cellulaire. / In the biomaterials field, this PhD work is about influence of substrate elasticity on cell division and chromatin plasticity of epithelial cells. Soft substrates cause massive death.However, some SW480 tumor cells, including those bearing chromosomal segregation abnormalities progress in mitosis. These abnormalities could result in more chromosomal rearrangements, increasing mutations. Soft substrates lead to heterochromatin remodelling and very soft substrates promote necrosis of PtK2 cells. On these substrates, euchromatin could be maintained after HDAC inhibition independently of the nuclear transcriptional competence.These cells spread again after tranfer on stiff substrates. These results suggest i) outside-insignalling cascade initiated at the soft substrate surface leading to heterochromatin remodelling and ultimately necrosis, ii) inside-out signaling cascade initiated from euchromatin allowing cell to overcome necrosis on soft substrate.

Foram estudadas as propriedades ácido-base de alguns polieletrólitos de interesse ambiental; no sentido de se avaliar a adequabilidade do modelo de sítios discretos na determinação e caracterização dos grupos ionizáveis presentes nestas macromoléculas. Estudou-se os seguintes sistemas de polieletrólitos: ácido húmico comercial (Aldrich) e extraído de vermicomposto (Humus de minhoca); microalga Spirulina (cianobactéria), ácido algínico e ácido poliacrílico de massas molares 2000 e 250000g/mol. Foram realizadas titulações potenciométricas alcalimétricas em diferentes meios iônicos à 25°C com os compostos acima citados. Os dados obtidos foram tratados por linearização (Funções de Gran Modificadas) e regressão não-linear. Os resultados obtidos pelo ácido húmico extraído de vermicomposto (humus de minhoca) e da microalga Spirulina mostraram-se indepentes da força iônica; indicando que o modelo de sítios discretos representa adequadamente os dados experimentais. Para as demais amostras, a estequiometria dos grupos determinados mostrou-se independente do meio iônico, porém os valores de pKa foram bastante afetados, devido à forte influência das interações eletrostáticas decorrentes da acumulação de cargas sobre as macromoléculas durante as titulações. Comparativamente os resultados obtidos tanto por regressão não linear como pelas Funções de Gran modificadas foram similares. / Acid base properties of some polyeletrolytes and colloidal suspensions were studied to evaluate the suitability of discrete site distribution model to fit potentiometric data for determination and characterization of ionizable groups presents in these materials. The polyelectrolytes studied were: commercial humic acid from Aldrich, humic acid isolated from vermicompost, mixed species of microalgae Spirulina, alginic acid and polyacrylic acid of molar masses 2000 and 250000 g/mol. Potentiometric titrations were performed in different ionic media to evaluate the effect of eletrostatic interactions on the titration data. Titrations were perfomed at 25°C, and the data were treated bya linear method based on Modified Gran Functions, as well as by a multiparametric Non-Linear Regression method. The results obtained for the vermicompost humic acid and Spirulina were independent of the ionic strength, suggesting that the chemical heterogeneity plays the major role in the acid base properties of these materials. Thus, the discrete site distribution model is well suited to characterize these materials. For the other polyelectrolytes studied, the influence of eletrostatic interactions was noticed. The discrete site distribution model was able to determine the total stoichiometry of the ionizable groups, but the ionization constants and the distribution of site concentration were dependent on the ionic strength and molar mass of these polyelectrolyte.

Les performances exceptionnelles des composites naturels comme la nacre ou le bois émergent de l’arrangement précis d’éléments souples et rigides à l’échelle nanométrique. L’assemblage couche-par-couche permet la fabrication de films avec un contrôle nanométrique de l’organisation et de la composition. Ce travail décrit l’assemblage et les propriétés de nouveaux nano-composites contenant des nano-renforts 1-D (fibrilles de cellulose) et 2-D (plaquettes d’argile). Nous avons combiné les argiles avec une matrice extrêmement souple de poly(diméthylsiloxane) dans une architecture lamellaire imitant celle de la nacre. Nous avons étudié des composites à base de fibrilles de cellulose aléatoirement orientées dans le plan, puis alignées dans une direction pour mieux imiter les parois cellulaires du bois. Les propriétés mécaniques de ces composites bio-inspirés égalent ou surpassent celles de leurs homologues naturels, tout en étant transparents et dans certains cas auto-réparants. / Natural materials such as nacre or wood gain their exceptional mechanical performances from the precise organisation of rigid and soft components at the nano-scale. Layer-by-layer assembly allows the preparation of films with a nano-scale control over their organisation and composition. This work describes the assembly and properties of new nano-composites containing 1-D (cellulose nano-fibrils) and 2-D (clay nano-platelets) reinforcing elements. The clay platelets were combined with an extremely soft matrix (poly(dimethylsiloxane)) to mimic the lamellar architecture of nacre. Cellulose based composites with a random in plane orientation of the fibrils were studied first, later we aligned the fibrils in a single direction to mimic further the cell wall of wood. The mechanical properties of these bio-inspired composites match or surpass those of their natural counterparts, while being transparent and in one case self-repairing.

Cette thèse s’est articulée autour de l’élaboration de revêtements surfaciques à base de polymères et de composants naturels. Dans un premier projet, des surfaces mécano-sensibles pour des applications de libération de molécules bioactives ont été élaborées. Des films de multicouches polyélectrolytes constitués d'une strate « réservoir » permettant le chargement d’une molécule bioactive, le paclitaxel, et d'une strate « barrière » mécano-sensible recouvrant ce réservoir et confinant le paclitaxel ont été élaborés. Lors de la mise sous étirement du film, la barrière est rendue perméable vis-à-vis d'une enzyme présente dans le surnageant. Cette enzyme induit ensuite la dégradation enzymatique du « réservoir » et la libération du paclitaxel. Dans un second projet, des substrats cellulaires nourriciers ont été réalisés à partir de films minces de gélatine réticulés mimant la matrice extracellulaire. Ces films peuvent être chargés: 1) en facteurs de croissance, ce qui permet de s'affranchir ensuite de l'ajout de ces molécules dans le milieu de culture; 2) en nanoparticules afin de moduler les propriétés mécaniques des films; 3) en agents antimicrobiens pour assurer une stérilité de la culture cellulaire. Ainsi, ces substrats aux propriétés biochimiques et biophysiques modulables permettent un contrôle précis du microenvironnement cellulaire. / This PhD work is about designing surface coatings with polymers and natural compounds. In the first project, mechanosensitive surfaces have been developed for drug release applications. Polyelectrolyte multilayer films have been designed with i) one reservoir strata for the loading of a bioactive molecule, paclitaxel, and ii) one mechanosensitive barrier strata on top of the reservoir to confine the molecule. When a mechanical stretch is applied on the structure, the barrier becomes permeable and enables the diffusion of an enzyme within the film.This enzyme degrades the reservoir strata and triggers the release of paclitaxel. In a second project, ECM-mimicking feeder substrate has been developed with crosslinked gelatin thin films. These films can be loaded with: i) growth factors to prevent any further addition of these compounds in the culture medium; ii) nanoparticles to modulate mechanical properties of the substrate; iii) antimicrobial agents to ensure sterility during cell culture experiments. Finally, these substrates have some biochemical and biophysical tunable properties that enable the precise control of cell microenvironment.