Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 1999. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-101). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users. Address: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/uoregon/fullcit?p9947978.

A pesquisa e o desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias na área de materiais e de processos químicos tem sido objeto de muitos trabalhos científicos que buscam inovações. O uso de materiais poliméricos para aplicação na área biomédica está em constante ascensão, e possuem importantes aplicações como sistema controlado de liberação de drogas, encapsulamento de células, regeneração de tecidos musculares e blendas para uso tópico. Os polímeros podem ser sintéticos como os álcool poli (vinílico)(PVA) e naturais também chamados de biopolímeros como a sericina (SER) formada pelo Bombyx mori. Para a utilização de biopolímeros é extremamente importante à avaliação de algumas características como dos agentes plastificantes e/ou reticulantes, a fim de, produzir blendas com melhores propriedades ao fim destinado. Dentro desse contexto, o estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito do gluconato de cálcio (GLU) em blendas poliméricas SER/PVA visando uma possível aplicação em materiais com liberação controlada de fármacos, elaborar filmes poliméricos da blenda SER/PVA com glicerol (GLI) e gluconato de cálcio e composições e caracterizar sistemas esses filmes quanto ao teor de umidade, espectroscopia no infravermelho em módulo de refletância total atenuada com transformada de Fourier, análises termogravimétrica, microscopia eletrônica de varredura, ensaios de tração e monitorar o teor de cálcio em solução proveniente da liberação do gluconato de cálcio presente nos filmes da blenda SER/PVA por espectroscopia de absorção atômica. Observou-se maior estabilidade térmica nos filmes com GLU como aditivo devido ao seu possível efeito reticulante relacionado aos íons Ca2+ presentes na blenda, com teor de umidade maior quando a GLY é utilizada, Nos estudos de FTIR-ATR pode ser observado que o GLU causa alteração do perfil espectroscópico do filme entre 50% e 60% do teor de SER diferentemente do que ocorre com a GLY (40% - 50%) Nos estudos de morfologia observou-se uma separação de fase em ambos os filmes com GLY e GLU, nos resultados de tração o GLY apresentou a plasticidade esperada já o GLU elimina a plasticidade do filme SER/PVA porém aumento significativamente a resistência do material, consequência clara de interações mais intensas no interior do material. Apresentou também um perfil de liberação positivo que pode ser modulado em composições de SER/PVA, esses resultados demonstram a viabilidade do filme como um material de liberação. Assim o GLU possui uma função múltipla na blenda polimérica proposta além de atuar como reticulante também pode atuar como fármaco. / The research and development of new technologies in the field of chemical materials and processes has been the subject of many scientific works that seek innovations. The use of polymer materials for application in the biomedical area is constantly increasing, and they have important applications as controlled system of drug release, cell encapsulation, regeneration of muscle tissues and blends for topical use. The polymers may be synthetic such as poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and natural also called biopolymers such as sericin (SER) formed by Bombyx mori. For the use of biopolymers it is extremely important to evaluate some characteristics such as plasticizers and / or crosslinking agents in order to produce blends with better properties to the intended purpose. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of calcium gluconate (GLU) on SER / PVA polymer blends aiming at a possible application in materials with controlled release of drugs, to prepare SER / PVA polymer blends with glycerol (GLI) And calcium gluconate and compositions and characterize systems such films for moisture content, infrared spectroscopy in Fourier transform attenuated total reflectance module, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, tensile tests and monitor calcium content in solution Resulting from the release of the calcium gluconate present in the SER / PVA blends films by atomic absorption spectroscopy. It was observed higher thermal stability in GLU films as an additive due to its possible crosslinking effect related to the Ca2+ ions present in the blends, with a higher moisture content when GLY is used. In the FTIR-ATR studies it can be observed that GLU causes Alteration of the spectroscopic profile of the film between 50% and 60% of the SER content differently than occurs with GLY (40% - 50%) In the morphology studies a phase separation was observed in both GLY and GLU films, In the traction results the GLY presented the expected plasticity since the GLU eliminates the plasticity of the SER / PVA film but significantly increases the resistance of the material, a clear consequence of more intense interactions inside the material. It also showed a positive release profile that can be modulated in SER / PVA compositions, these results demonstrating the viability of the film as a release material. Thus, GLU has a multiple function in the proposed polymer blend as well as acting as a crosslinker can also act as a drug.

Spider silk has received significant attention due to its fascinating mechanical properties. Given the solitary and cannibalistic behavior of spiders, spider silk farming is impractical. Unlike spiders, silkworms are capable of producing large quantities of a fibrous product in a manner mimetic to spiders, and there already exists an industry to process cocoons into threads and textiles for many applications. The combination of silk farming (sericulture), a millennia old practice, and modern advancements in genetic engineering has given rise to an innovative biomaterial inspired by nature; transgenic silkworm silk. This project focuses on the creation of chimeric silkworm-spider silk fibers through the genetic modification of silkworms. Advanced genetic engineering techniques were used to introduce the minor ampullate spider silk (MiSp) genes into the silkworm genome. A subset of these transgenic silkworms was cross-bred with other transgenic silkworms containing the same spider silk gene in a different section of the silkworm genome to create hybrid, dual-transgenic silkworms. The transgenic silk samples showed increased mechanical properties compared to native silkworm fibers, with the strongest fibers approaching or surpassing the mechanical properties of native spider silk. The transgenic silk retained the elasticity of the native silkworm silk and gained the strength of the spider silk. Ultimately, genetic engineering opens the door to mass produce synthetic spider silk in an established organism and industry, and the results of this project demonstrate that the properties of silkworm silk can be predictably altered through this technology.