The oncogene c-MYC has guanine-rich and complementary cytosine-rich sequences in its P1 promoter region. The P1 promoter is responsible for over 90% of the c-MYC expression. Downregulation of c-MYC expression represents a novel therapeutic approach to more than 50% of all cancers. A stable i-motif formed by the c-MYC C-rich sequence would be an attractive target for cancer treatment. We have previously shown that c-MYC promoter sequences can form stable i-motifs in acidic solution (pH 4.5-5.5). The question is whether c-MYC promoter sequence i-motif will be stable at physiological pH. In this work, we have investigated the stability of mutant c-MYC i-motif in solutions having pH values from 4 to 7 and containing co-solutes or molecular crowding agents. The crowded nuclear environment was modeled by the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG, having molecular weights from 200 to 12000 g/mol) at concentrations of 10% to 40% w/w. Circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to establish the presence and stability of c-MYC i-motifs in buffer solutions having pH values of 4 to 7. The results of these studies are: 1) the addition of up to 20% w/w glycerol does not increase i-motif stability, 2) the addition of 30% PEG results in an increase in i-motif stability to pH values as high as 6.7, 3) i-motif stability is increased with increased PEG concentration and increased PEG molecular weight, and 4) the effects of PEG size and concentration are not linear, with larger PEGs forming DNA/PEG complexes, which destabilize the i-motif. In summary, we have shown that the c-MYC i-motif can exist as a stable structure at pH as high as 6.7 in a crowded environment. Molecular crowding, largely an excluded volume effect, drives the formation of the more compact i-motif, even at higher pH values where the cytosine imino-nitrogen is deprotonated and neutral C-C pairs can form only two H-bonds. Based on this research, it seems possible that a stable c-MYC promoter sequence i-motif could form at physiological pH and would be a reasonable drug target for new cancer therapies.

In this thesis, the successful fabrication of 3D-printed microfluidic devices will be discussed. Fabrication is performed with a low-cost commercially available stereolithographic 3D printer utilizing a custom PEGDA resin formulation tailored for low non-specific protein adsorption based on my colleagues' work [Rogers et al., Anal. Chem. 83, 6418 (2011)]. Horizontal microfluidic channels with designed rectangular cross sectional dimensions as small as 300 um wide and 150 um tall are printed with 100% yield, as are cylindrical vertical microfluidic channels with 300 um designed (334 um actual) diameters. Moreover, two different resins developed by our group are utilized in the process of 3D-printing which is the novel aspect about this thesis since other groups have not done research on this aspect of 3D-printing.

Wearable technology offers the promise of decentralized and personalized healthcare, which can both alleviate current burdens on medical resources, and also help individuals to be more informed about their health. The heterogeneity of disease phenotypes necessitates adaptations to both diagnosing and surveilling disease, but to ensure user adoption and behavioral change, there needs to be a convenient way to amass such health information continuously. This can be in part accomplished by the development of continuously monitoring, compact wearable medical sensors and analytics technology that provide updates on analyte and biosignal measurements at regular intervals in situ. This dissertation investigates methods for collecting and analyzing information from wearable devices with these principles in mind. In Aim 1, we developed new methods for analysis of cardiovascular biosignals. Current methods of estimating left ventricular mass index (LVMI, a strong risk factor for cardiac outcomes), rely on the analysis of echocardiographic signals. Though still the gold standard, echocardiography can typically only be performed in the clinic, making it inconvenient to obtain frequent measurements of LVMI. Frequent measurements can be useful for monitoring cardiac risk, particularly for high-risk individuals, so we investigated the feasibility of predicting LVMI using a deep learning-based approach through ambulatory blood pressure readings, a one-time laboratory test and demographic information. We find that adding blood pressure waveform information in conjunction with multitask learning improved prediction errors (compared to baseline linear regression and neural network models), pointing to its potential as a clinical tool. Using transfer learning, we developed a model that does not require waveform data, but achieved similar prediction accuracies as methods that do require such data – opening the door to use cases that eliminate the need for wearing a blood pressure cuff continuously during the measurement period. Overall, such a technique has the potential to provide information to individuals who are at high risk of cardiac outcomes both inside and outside the clinic. In Aims 2 and 3, we developed a minimally invasive hydrogel patch for continuous monitoring of calcium, as proof-of-concept for wearable measurement of a wide variety of analytes typically assayed in the lab – a technology that can facilitate treatment and management of many prevalent diseases. Specifically, in Aim 2, we engineered a DNA polyacrylamide hydrogel microneedle array that sensed physiologically relevant calcium levels, for potential use by individuals who have hypoparathyroidism, a condition in which blood calcium levels are low and calcium supplements are needed. A negative mold was made using a CNC mill, the positive mold was cast in silicone, and the aptamer along with acrylamide and bis-acrylamide was seeded into the silicone mold. The DNA hydrogel was then fabricated using a simple UV curing protocol. The optimized DNA hydrogel was specific to calcium, used simple fabrication methods and had a fast, reversible signal response. Finally, in Aim 3, we developed the DNA hydrogel sensor into a wearable, integrated system with real-time fluorescence monitoring for testing in vivo. The microneedle array needed to be hydrated for the DNA aptamer to function, but polyacrylamide was too weak in its hydrated state to effectively pierce through skin epidermis. We demonstrated a method for strengthening our hydrogel system with polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA), while maintaining an optically translucent gel for detection purposes. We conducted piercing studies with a skin phantom on different microneedle array sizes and shapes, and determined that a 3x3 array of beveled microneedles required the least amount of force to pierce through a skin phantom. A custom complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) system was developed to capture real-time fluorescence signals from the microneedle array, which correlated to calcium levels in vitro. This setup was then validated in a rat study. In this dissertation, we demonstrated methods for monitoring human biosignals using signal processing techniques, material innovations and integrated sensing platforms. While a work in progress, this dissertation is a step towards realizing the goal of decentralized, connected health for earlier detection and better management of disease.

<p>I put department up there as Biomedical Engineering. The full title should be: School of Biomedical Engineering.</p> / <p>The work presented in this thesis was focused on the surface modification of biomaterials with combinations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and bioactive molecules (protein anticoagulants) for improved blood compatibility. Since the fate of biomaterials in contact with blood depends significantly on plasma protein-surface interactions, the objective of this work was to reduce non-specific protein adsorption using PEG and to promote specific protein interactions that could inhibit clot formation using protein anticoagulants as modifiers.</p> <p>Two anticoagulant molecules were used in this work: hirudin, a specific inhibitor of thrombin and corn trypsin inhibitor (CTI), a specific inhibitor of clotting factor XIIa. Gold, used as a model substrate, was modified with PEG and anticoagulant molecules using two methods referred to as sequential and direct. In the sequential method PEG was first immobilized on the surface and then the bioactive molecule was attached (conjugated) to the PEG. In the direct method, a PEG-bioactive molecule conjugate was first formed and then immobilized on the surface. Surfaces were characterized by contact angle, ellipsometry and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Uptake of the bioactive molecules was measured by radiolabeling. Biointeraction studies included plasma protein adsorption, bioactivity assays using chromogenic substrates and clotting time assays. For PEG-hirudin and PEG-CTI surfaces (both direct and sequential) the protein resistance was similar to that of the PEG-alone surfaces. Despite having a lower density of bioactive molecule (both hirudin and CTI), the sequential surfaces showed superior bioactivity compared to the direct ones.</p> <p>To determine the optimal ratio of free PEG and bioactive molecule-PEG conjugate on the surface (best combination of protein resistance and bioactivity), PEG-CTI was immobilized on gold substrate with varying ratio of conjugated to free PEG using both direct and sequential methods. As the ratio increased, protein resistance was maintained while specific interactions (bioactivity) increased. The optimal composition appeared to be where all PEG molecules are conjugated to a CTI molecule.</p> <p>In the final part of this project, PEG and CTI were immobilized on polyurethane as a material with applicability to medical device construction. A sequential method was developed for this substrate. Comparison of the PEG-CTI surface with PEG only or CTI only surfaces indicated that the combination of PEG-CTI was effective both in reducing non-specific protein adsorption and promoting the specific interactions of CTI with its target plasma protein, factor XIIa. In fact, the presence of PEG improved CTI interactions with FXIIa compared with CTI only surfaces. Thus, sequential attachment of PEG and CTI may be effective for modifying polyurethane surfaces used in blood-contacting medical devices.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Fouling properties of materials such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) have been extensively studied over the past decades. Traditionally, the factors believed to result in protein adsorption resistance have included i) steric exclusion arising from the compression of longer chains and ii) grafting density contribution which may provide shielding from the underlying material. Recent studies have suggested that PEG interaction with water may also play a role in its ability to resist protein adsorption suggesting that steric exclusion may not be the only mechanism occurring during PEG/protein interactions. Star-shaped PEG polymers have been utilized in protein adsorption studies due to their high PEG segment concentration, which allows to increase the PEG chain grafting density compared to that achieved with linear PEG chains. Most studies that have investigated the interactions of tethered linear and star-shaped PEG layers with proteins have considered linear PEG molecules with molecular weights several orders of magnitude smaller than those considered for star-shaped PEG molecules (i.e. 10 000 g/mol vs. 200 000 g/mol, respectively). Additionally, the star-shaped PEG molecules which have been considered in the literature had up to ~70 arms and were therefore modeled by hard-sphere like structures and low chain densities near the surface due to steric hindrance. This resulted in some difficulties to achieve grafted PEG chain overlap for star molecules. Here, triethoxysilane end-functionalized linear PEG molecules have been synthesized and utilized to form star-shaped PEG derivatives based on ethoxy hydrolysis and condensation reactions. This resulted in PEG stars with up to ~4 arms, which were found to result in grafted star-shaped PEG chains with significant chain overlap. Linear PEG derivatives were synthesized so that their molecular weight would match the overall molecular weight of the star-shaped PEG molecules. These 2 PEG molecular architectures were covalently self-assembled to hydroxylated silicon wafers and the thickness, grafting density, and conformation of these films were studied. The adsorption of human albumin (serum protein) on linear and star-shaped PEG films was compared to that obtained on control samples, i.e. uncoated silicon wafers. Both film architectures were found to significantly lower albumin adsorption. / Ph. D.

The problem was to determine the effectiveness of using polyethylene glycol 1000 in the treatment of green wood for the purpose of forming projects made of wood veneer and of simple design for use in junior high or high school woodworking classes. The purpose of this study was to seek answers to the following questions. 1. Is polyethylene glycol 1000 an effective stabilizing agent for green wood veneer that can be used in school woodworking classes? 2. Can green wood veneer treated with polyethylene glycol 1000 be bent to form simple woodwork projects? 3. Can green wood veneer treated with polyethylene glycol 1000 be successfully used in junior high and high school woodworking classes? 4. What length of treatment time is best for green wood veneer that is to be used to form simple bent wood projects? 5. Is one-fourth inch thickness suitable for green wood veneer that is to be treated with polyethylene glycol 1000 and used to form simple bent wood projects?

A doença cardíaca valvar é um problema clínico que está presente em todos os países independente do nível de desenvolvimento econômico. Anualmente são realizadas mais de 275.000 cirurgias para substituição da válvula aórtica em todo o mundo e a estimativa é que esse número triplique até 2050. Dentre as próteses utilizadas destaca-se a bioprótese, que apesar de apresentar uma rejeição menor que a prótese mecânica, a sua durabilidade é reduzida em virtude de sua calcificação e posterior deterioração. A fim de aumentar a durabilidade da prótese confeccionada a partir do pericárdio bovino, neste estudo, foi incorporado o óxido de grafeno funcionalizado com amino-polietilenoglicol 4.000 Mn (OG-PEG-NH2 4.000 Mn) e 6.000 Mn (OG-PEG-NH2 6.000 Mn) ao biomaterial. A incorporação do óxido de grafeno funcionalizado ao pericárdio bovino foi realizada, após sua esterilização com radiação gama, de duas formas distintas: por adsorção física e por reação química. Os resultados demonstraram que houve a incorporação do OG-PEG-NH2 4.000 Mn, verificado pelo aumento dos parâmetros de ensaio de resistência analisados, como por exemplo, a resistência à deformação plástica permanente e também a carga máxima suportada. Em relação ao OG-PEG-NH2 6.000 Mn houve uma melhora na biocompatibilidade do nanomaterial, diminuindo a sua citotoxicidade. Sendo assim, pode-se concluir que o OG-PEG-NH2 4.000 Mn possui o potencial para melhorar a resistência mecânica e consequentemente aumentar a durabilidade do biomaterial. / Valvular heart disease is a clinical problem that is present in all countries regardless of the level of economic development. More than 275000 surgeries are performed annually for aortic valve replacement worldwide, and it is estimated that this number will triple by 2050. Among the prostheses used, the bioprosthesis stands out, which, although presenting a smaller rejection than the mechanical prosthesis, its durability is reduced by cause of its calcification and subsequent deterioration. In order to increase the durability of the prosthesis made from the bovine pericardium, the functionalized graphene oxide with amino-polyethylene glycol 4000 Mn (OG-PEG-NH2 4000 Mn) and 6000 Mn (OG-PEG-NH2 6000 Mn) to the biomaterial. The incorporation of functionalized graphene oxide to the bovine pericardium was performed, after its sterilization with gamma radiation, in two different ways: physical adsorption and chemical reaction. The results showed that the OG-PEG-NH2 4000 Mn was incorporated, verified by the increase of the resistance test parameters analysed, for example, the resistance to permanent plastic deformation and also the maximum supported load. In relation to OG-PEG-NH2 6000 Mn there was an improvement in the biocompatibility of the nanomaterial, reducing its cytotoxicity. Thus, it can be concluded that the OG-PEG-NH2 4000 Mn has the potential to improve mechanical strength and consequently increase the durability of the biomaterial.

A imunização transcutânea (TCI) é uma via atrativa para o desenvolvimento de vacinação livre de agulhas, atuando nas APCs da pele, podendo substituir algumas das imunizações convencionais, em termos de facilidade, segurança e eficácia. O presente estudo avaliou a resposta imune da TCI com proteína recombinante de leptospira LipL32, uma proteína altamente conservada em cepas patogênicas e potente candidata vacinal. A TCI com a LipL32 na região abdominal de C57BL-6 foi capaz de primar o sistema imune, suscitando resposta sistêmica com altos níveis de anticorpos contra o antígeno, após reforços subimunizantes, ID e Tc. O padrão de citocinas em cultivo de células do sangue total dos grupos imunizados indicou que a imunização Tc foi capaz de primar o sistema imune, tanto inato quanto adaptativo. O tratamento local ou a coadministração com surfactantes ou PEG não evidenciou ação emoliente ou adjuvante. A coadministração Tc da LipL32 com MPL-A levou a efeito moderador da reação pro-inflamatória, redirecionando a resposta adaptativa, tanto humoral quanto celular. / Transcutaneous immunization (TCI) offers an attractive pathway for the development of needle-free vaccination by acting on APCs of the skin, showing potential to replace conventional immunization, in terms of safety and efficacy. In this study we evaluated the immune response by TCI with recombinant protein of leptospira LipL32, a highly conserved protein among pathogenic strains, a potential vaccine candidate. TCI with LipL32 was evaluated in C57BL-6 mice abdominal region and was able to confer systemic response with high levels of antibodies after subimmunizing ID and Tc boosters. The pattern of cytokines in cell cultures from whole blood of immunized groups indicated that the TCI was able to prime the immune system, for both innate and adaptive response. Local treatment of the skin or coadministration with surfactants and PEG did not show an emollient and an adjuvant action. Co-administration of LipL32 with MPL-A influenced the antibody response as well as showed a moderating effect of the pro-inflammatory reaction, redirecting the adaptive response.

MACHADO, M. O. Obtenção de micropartículas contendo dispersões sólidas de praziquantel por spray congealing. 2011. 120f. Dissertação (Mestrado). Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto - Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 2011. A esquistossomose é uma verminose provocada pelo Schistosoma mansoni. Sua prevalência no Brasil é de aproximadamente 10 milhões de pessoas infectadas. O tratamento é feito com o praziquantel, um fármaco anti-helmíntico para uso tanto humano como veterinário. Está classificado no sistema de classificação biofarmacêutico como de classe II, dos fármacos que possuem baixa solubilidade e alta permeabilidade necessitando de um estudo para melhorar a sua solubilidade e consequentemente sua taxa de dissolução. Para isso, técnica escolhida nesse estudo foi a de obtenção de dispersões sólidas de praziquantel, microparticuladas, por spray congealing. Esta técnica prepara micropartículas atomizando-se a solução do fármaco em um carreador fundido, dispensando solventes orgânicos ou aquosos. Foram preparadas dispersões sólidas e misturas físicas com formulações de polietilenoglicol 6000:praziquantel nas proporções de 10, 15 e 20% de praziquantel e polietilenoglicol 6000:sorbitol:praziquantel nas proporções de 10, 15, 20 e 40% de praziquantel e determinou-se a sua solubilidade em todas as amostras. As dispersões sólidas preparadas obtiveram um aumento significativo na solubilidade do fármaco em relação ao praziquantel puro e as formulações com polietilenoglicol 6000 e sorbitol apresentaram uma melhoria significante de solubilidade em relação às que continham apenas polietilenoglicol, com p<0,05. Porém ao realizar a atomização no spray a formulação adquiriu características adesivas impossibilitando o sucesso da utilização da técnica de spray congealing. Com isso escolheu-se a formulação de polietilenoglicol 6000:praziquantel nas concentrações de 10, 15 e 20% de praziquantel e realizou-se um planejamento fatorial do tipo Box-Behnken, num total de 15 experimentos, estudando a vazão de atomização, a vazão de dispersão e a porcentagem de praziquantel. Para todas as amostras realizou-se as análises por calorimetria exploratória diferencial, termogravimetria, infravermelho e difração de raios-X. Estas análises mostraram que provavelmente não houve interações fármaco/polímero. Na análise das propriedades de escoabilidade as micropartículas apresentaram fluxo de excelente a tolerável. Estas tiveram um aumento da solubilidade do fármaco que variou de 62,6 a 79% em relação ao praziquantel puro. O diâmetro médio das partículas ficou entre 145 a 215µm. As micropartículas tiveram um aumento da taxa de dissolução de 3,18 vezes em comparação ao praziquantel puro, 2,3 vezes em relação mistura física de 10% e 2,14 vezes em relação à dispersão sólida de 10%. A análise morfológica mostrou partículas irregulares e com superfície rugosa apresentando pequenos cristais do fármaco. A técnica apresentou uma excelente eficiência de encapsulação que variou de 88 a 108%. Pela análise de variância dos dados tivemos que para a solubilidade quanto menor a porcentagem de praziquantel na amostra, maior o aumento da solubilidade e para o tamanho de partícula, quanto maior a vazão de dispersão, maior é a partícula. Com esses resultados pode-se concluir que a técnica de spray congealing apresentou resultados satisfatórios, sendo uma técnica eficiente, rápida e muito promissora para a preparação de dispersões sólidas. / Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by the worm Schistosoma mansoni. Its prevalence in Brazil is around 10 million infected people. Treatment is done with praziquantel, an antihelmintic drug both for human and animal use. As it is a class II drug of low solubility and high permeability according to the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS), it is highly valuable to perform a study to improve the solubility and dissolution rates of praziquantel. That is the aim of the present work. Spray congealing was the technique used to obtain solid dispersions of praziquantel. It consists of atomizing the solution or suspension containing the drug in a melting carrier without the need of organic or aqueous solvents. Solid dispersions and physical mixtures were prepared using polyethylene glycol 6000:praziquantel in proportions 10%, 15%, and 20% of praziquantel, and using polyethylene glycol 6000:sorbitol:praziquantel in proportions 10%, 15%, 20%, and 40% of praziquantel. Solubility tests were performed in each sample. Solid dispersions had a significant increase in solubility rate compared to pure praziquantel. The formulations containing polyethylene glycol 6000 and sorbitol had a significant improvement in solubility rate compared to the ones with polyethylene glycol only (p<0,05). However, during the atomization through spray congealing technique, the formulation acquired sticky characteristics, impairing the success of such technique. Thus, the formulation of polyethylene glycol 6000:praziquantel in concentrations 10%, 15% and 20% of praziquantel was chosen and a factorial design type Box-Behnken was planned, in a total of 15 experiments, to study the parameters: flow of the atomization, flow rate of the dispersion, and the percentage of praziquantel. It was carried out an analysis of the samples of physical mixtures, microparticles, and solid dispersions in each proportion through differential exploratory calorimetry, thermogravimetry, infrared ray and X-ray diffraction. The analysis showed that probably there were no interactions between the drug and the polymer. Flow rate analysis of microparticles presented a level from excellent to tolerable, showing an increase in solubility that ranged from 62.6% to 79% compared to pure praziquantel. The average diameter of the particles ranged from 145 to 215m, which is a reasonable size to improve solubility and properties of the flow. Microparticles had an increase in dissolution rate of 3.18 times compared to pure praziquantel, 2.3 times in relation to physical mixture of 10%, and 2.14 times in relation to solid dispersion of 10%. Morphological analysis revealed irregular particles with wrinkled surface with small crystals of the drug. Photomicrographs showed that there was agglomeration during spray congealing. The technique exhibited an excellent efficacy of encapsulation that ranged from 88% to 108%. Variance analysis for the studied factors showed that only solubility and particle size exhibited values with significant statistical difference. For solubility, the lower the percentage of praziquantel in the sample, the higher the increase in solubility. For particle size, the higher the flow of dispersion, the bigger the particle. From the study carried out, it can be concluded that spray congealing is an efficient, quick and promising technique for preparation of solid dispersions.

A transfusão de sangue é uma intervenção terapêutica capaz de salvar muitas vidas. Entretanto, transfusões também apresentam uma alta gama de possíveis eventos adversos, questões logísticas, econômicas e sociais. Dentre as principais preocupações terapêuticas estão a incompatibilidade (principalmente do sistema ABO), a transmissão de microrganismos patogênicos, os distúrbios imunomodulatórios, as reações hemolíticas, o aumento estatístico do risco de morte proporcional ao volume de sangue infundido, dentre outros. Diversas alternativas às transfusões sanguíneas são propostas na literatura científica, dentre elas o desenvolvimento de transportadores de oxigênio que utilizam a hemoglobina, comumente intitulados substitutos sanguíneos. Neste âmbito, o presente estudo teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de uma rota de síntese e a síntese de partículas de gelatina contendo hemoglobina polimerizada. Para tanto, realizou-se a síntese do polietileno glicol bis-[succinimidil succinato], extraiu-se e polimerizou-se com glutaraldeído ou polietileno glicol bis-[succinimidil succinato] hemoglobina de sangue bovino e, partículas de gelatina coriácea ou óssea contendo hemoglobina polimerizada foram sintetizadas e caracterizadas. A síntese do polietileno glicol bis-[succinimidil succinato] (SSPEG) foi caracterizada por espectroscopia RAMAN, análise diferencial de calorimetria (DSC) e os resultados obtidos indicaram o sucesso das reações. O produto da reação de polimerização da hemoglobina e albumina com o SSPEG foi verificado por SDS-PAGE e os resultados obtidos indicaram a formação com sucesso de polímeros de alta massa molecular. As partículas contendo hemoglobina polimerizada geradas com gelatina coriácea apresentaram diâmetro hidrodinâmico de 1370 nm, dispersividade de 0,029 e potencial zeta de -36,1 mV. As partículas contendo hemoglobina polimerizada geradas com gelatina óssea apresentaram diâmetro hidrodinâmico de 438 nm, dispersividade de 0,563 e potencial zeta de -24,5 mV. Os resultados obtidos sugerem a aplicabilidade da gelatina coriácea para a produção de partículas contendo hemoglobina polimerizada com possível aplicação como transportador de oxigênio. / Blood transfusion is a therapeutic intervention that can save many lives. However, transfusion is also related to several possible adverse therapeutic events and logistic, economic and social concerns. Among the major therapeutic concerns are incompatibility (mainly of the ABO group system), pathogenic microorganisms\' transmission, immunomodulatory disturbances, hemolytic reactions, death risk increase that is proportional to the infused volume, among others. Several alternatives to blood transfusion are proposed in the scientific literature. Among them is the development of hemoglobin based oxygen carriers, commonly entitle blood substitutes. To this extent, the present work aimed to develop a synthetic route and to synthesize gelatin particles containing polymerized hemoglobin. To this purpose PEG bis(succinimidyl succinate) was synthesized, bovine hemoglobin was extracted and polymerized with glutaraldehyde or PEG and polyhemoglobin contained particles of gelatin from leather or bones were synthesized and characterized. PEG bis(succinimidyl succinate) synthesis was characterized by RAMAN spectroscopy and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the obtained results indicated the successful synthesis. The reaction product of the polymerization of hemoglobin or albumin with PEG was verified by SDS-PAGE and the results indicated the successful formation of high molecular mass polymers. The particles generated with leather gelatin and polyhemoglobin had a hydrodynamic diameter of 1370 nm, dispersity of 0.029 and zeta potential of -36.1 mV. Particles generated with bone gelatin and polyhemoglobin had hydrodynamic diameter of 438 nm, dispersity of 0.563 and zeta potential of -24.5 mV. The obtained results suggest the applicability of leather gelatin for the production of polyhemoglobin containing particles aiming to the development of a hemoglobin based oxygen carrier.