Le développement de nouveaux systèmes pour la délivrance locale et contrôlée de principes actifs (PA) peut avoir plusieurs intérêts : augmenter la biodisponibilité du PA, délivrer une forte dose prolongée en limitant les effets secondaires, et améliorer le confort du patient. Pour développer ces nouveaux systèmes de délivrance, des matériaux composites ont été élaborés. Ces matériaux sont constitués d’une matrice hydrogel intégrant des nanoparticules lipidiques (LNPs) capables de solubiliser un principe actif hydrophobe. Cette double encapsulation a pour but de solubiliser puis de délivrer un principe actif hydrophobe qui ne pourrait pas être encapsulé directement dans la matrice hydrophile, et de retarder sa libération en créant des interactions particules/polymères. Nous avons élaboré différents matériaux en sélectionnant 2 polysaccharides largement utilisés pour des applications biomédicales : la carboxyméthylcellulose (CMC) et le chitosane (CS). Ces 2 polymères ont été mélangés à du poly(éthylène glycol) (PEG), un polymère synthétique flexible, pour augmenter les possibilités de moduler la structure et les propriétés mécaniques de la matrice. Ces hydrogels hybrides de CMC/PEG ou CS/PEG réticulés chimiquement par chimies clics, ont été proposés sous forme d’hydrogel en volume, de films ou d’éponges. Après un travail sur le développement et la caractérisation de ces nouvelles matrices hydrogels, les propriétés des matériaux composites polysaccharides/LNPs ont été évaluées et corrélées à la diffusion des particules dans le réseau hydrogel. / Due to their high biocompatibility, macroscale hydrogels have been studied as promising materials for the design of drug delivery systems (DDS). Such systems devoted to the local administration and prolonged drug release can improve the efficacy of pharmaceutical coumpounds while limiting undesired side-effects. Hydrogels present a high water content and soft consistency with mechanical properties that can match those of biological tissues. Nevertheless, these systems are essentially limited to the delivery of hydrophilic drugs. Our approach for extended release of hydrophobic drugs is to design composite materials composed of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) entrapped within polysaccharide hydrogels. We selected two polysaccharides which are currently used in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications: carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and chitosan (CS). We also used poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a plasticizer to tune the matrix mechanical properties. Three types of LNP-loaded hybrid materials were studied; i) bulk CMC/PEG hydrogels, ii) CS/PEG films, and iii) CS/PEG sponges. These materials were chemically crosslinked through attractive click reactions. LNPs were successfully entrapped within the three materials without affecting their properties. A deeper study was conducted with the CMC/PEG composite hydrogel. The LNP release profiles were correlated with the network structure and particles properties. The different materials appear promising systems for the time-controlled delivery of therapeutics.

Ce travail avait pour but de développer un nouveau type de matériaux basés sur des complexes polyelectrolytes. Ces matériaux ont été obtenus par l’ultracentrifugation des complexes soit d’origine naturelle ou soit d’origine synthétique. Le système de polyélectrolytes ainsi que les conditions dans lesquelles ces matériaux peuvent être obtenus, suivi par le choix du système optimal pour des études complémentaires ont été décrits. PAA / PAH CoPECs a été choisi comme systèmes modèles de synthèse et ses propriétés physico chimiques (composition, structure et les propriétés mécaniques) ont été décrits ici en détails. Nous avons montré que les propriétés de la composition, la structure et mécanique de le PAA/PAH CoPECs peut être contrôlée en modifiant les conditions d’assemblage (pH, concentration des polyélectrolytes, [NaCl], la vitesse et la commande de l’addition). Également, les conditions environnementales ([NaCl] et pH) ont également été utilisés pour contrôler la taille des pores et porosité des PAA/PAH CoPECs . Enfin, leur capacité à servir de support pour l’immobilisation d’enzymes a également été étudiée. Nous avons optimise les conditions d’assemblage afin de maintenir le maximum quantité de l’enzyme dans le complexe. Nous avons également démontré que CoPECs fournit la stabilisation à long terme, ainsi que la protection de l’enzyme à des températures élevées. Ainsi, PAA / PAH CoPECs sont des candidats potentiels pour être utilisé comme des supports pour l’ingénierie tissulaire et pour l’immobilisation d’enzymes. / This work was aimed to the develop of a new kind of materials of polyelectrolytes complexes. These materials were obtained by the ultracentrifugation of complexes either of natural or synthetic origin. The polyelectrolytes systems as well as the conditions under which these materials could be obtained, followed by the selection of the optimal system to further studies was described. PAA/PAH CoPECs was chosen as synthetic model systems and its physiochemical properties (composition, structure and mechanical properties) were here deeply described. We demonstrated that the composition, structure and mechanical properties can be controlled by changing the assembly conditions (pH, concentration of the polyelectrolytes, [NaCl], speed and order of addition). Moreover, the environmental conditions ([NaCl] and pH) were also used to control the porosity and pores size of the PAA/PAH CoPECs. Finally their ability to serve as scaffold for enzyme immobilization was also studied. We optimized the assembly conditions to keep the maximum of the activity. We also demonstrated that the CoPECs structure provides the stabilization in long term as well as the protection of the enzyme from high temperature. Thus, PAA/PAH CoPECs is a potential and suitable candidates as scaffold for tissue engineering and for the immobilization of enzymes.

L'adhésion d'hydrogels sur surfaces minces de polymères a été étudiée de manière systématique au moyen d'un test de contact plan-plan réalisé en milieu immergé. A l'échelle moléculaire, l'adhésion macroscopique se traduit à l'interface [gel/surface mince] par la formation d'interactions spécifiques réversibles (liaisons hydrogène, interactions électrostatiques). Nous nous sommes interrogés sur les paramètres clés qui pilotent la formation de ces interactions en solution aqueuse. Nous avons ainsi établi l'importance de la composition de l'hydrogel (concentration initiale en polymère et taux de réticulation), du type d'interactions physiques mises en jeu à l'interface et de la distance d'interpénétration des chaînes de polymères sur la probabilité de créer des interactions au niveau de l'interphase volumique. Par ailleurs, les résultats des suivis cinétiques d'adhésion in situ au cours du gonflement des gels ont permis de quantifier la perte d'adhésion entre leur état de préparation et leur équilibre de gonflement, survenant même dans le cas de dilutions relativement faibles. En cause, la cinétique de formation d'interactions multiples à l'interface [gel/surface mince] plus lente à l'équilibre de gonflement qu'à l'état de préparation. Toutefois en combinant des énergies de liaisons physiques élevées (interactions électrostatiques) à une distance d'interpénétration plus grande et à des effets de dissipation élastique importants (gel mince de polymère comme surface mince), nous avons montré qu'il est possible d'améliorer considérablement l'adhésion du système immergé tout en maintenant l'énergie d'adhésion constante, même à l'équilibre de gonflement. / Adhesion of hydrogels on thin polymer surfaces has been studied systematically via an underwater flat-flat contact test. Macroscopic adhesion at the [gel/thin surface] interface is due to reversible and specific interactions (hydrogen bonds, electrostatic interactions) created at molecular scale. We wondered about the key parameters that control the formation of these interactions in aqueous solution. Thus, we have established the importance of the composition of the hydrogel (initial concentration of polymer and cross-linking ratio), of the nature of the physical interactions involved in the system and of the interpenetrating distance of polymer chains. Furthermore, the results of the kinetics studies of the evolution of adhesion properties during the swelling of the networks were helpful to quantify the loss of adhesion between state preparation and swelling equilibrium of hydrogels, occurring even in the case of relatively low dilution factors. The kinetics slowdown of the formation of multiple interactions at the [gel/thin surface] interface is involved in the decrease of the energy of adhesion measured at swelling equilibrium compared to state preparation.However by mixing physical bonds with higher energy (electrostatic interactions) at greater interpenetrating distance of chains and elastic dissipation effects (thin polymer gel as thin surface), we have significantly improved the underwater adhesion of the system, while retaining the energy of adhesion constant, even at swelling equilibrium.

Chronic wounds are a major financial and clinical burden causing the deaths of millions per year. Over expression of elastase is well documented as the main culprit that delays the normal wound repair process within chronic wounds. The aim of this thesis is to design a responsive chronic wound dressing based on the hydrogel polymer, PEGA (polyethylene glycol acrylamide) in the form of particles to mop-up excess elastase by exploiting polymer collapse in response to elastase hydrolytic activity within sample fluids mimicking the environment of chronic wounds. PEGA particles were functionalised with enzyme cleavable peptides (ECPs) containing charged residues. Upon cleavage the charge balance changes, causing polymer swelling and consequent elastase entrapment. The pH range of chronic wounds is reported in the range of 5.45 - 8.65. Due to its pI which is around 8.3, within this range elastase exist both in its cationic and anionic forms. To accommodate a hydrogel dressing that could selectively entrap excess elastase both in its cationic and anionic, oppositely charged ECPs were designed. In its cationic form, elastase was found to have a high preference of cleaving ECPs and penetrating into PEGA particles bearing negative charges. In contrast, in its anionic form the opposite effect was observed, wherein elastase preferred to cleave ECPs and penetrate PEGA particles bearing positive charges. The diffusion, accessibility and entrapment of elastase into functionalised PEGA particles was explored using various fluorescence microscopy techniques. Removal of the charged residue by elastase showed a reduction in particle swelling causing the pores of PEGA particles to become restricted. In this manner, cleaved PEGA particles prevented the accessibility of molecules with a molecular weight as low as 20 kDa into the cleaved PEGA particles. Since elastase has a molecular weight of 25.9 kDa the collapsing of the pores within PEGA particles entrapped elastase inside the interior of cleaved PEGA particles. In its cationic form (at pH 7.4) elastase was found to penetrate and become trapped more into both negative and positive PEGA particles compared to neutral particles. The negative particles were shown to trapped cationic elastase within 2 minutes compared to the positive particles. In contrast, the neutral particles failed to retain and encapsulate elastase as the fluorescence inside the neutral particles was found to decrease. Coinciding with these observations, after sample fluids containing elastase were treated with functionalised PEGA particles, the residual elastase activity in sample fluids was reduced more by the charged PEGA particles compared to neutral particles. The cell culture studies demonstrated that the elastase activity observed in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) was also reduced more by the charged particles compared to the neutral particles. However, the positive particles were found to significantly reduced HDF-elastase activity compared to both the negative and neutral PEGA particles. Overall, this thesis exemplifies that on the basis of charge selective cleaving of ECPs coupled to PEGA particles can be exploited to selectively remove excess proteases such as elastase from sample fluids mimicking the environment of chronic wounds.

Dans le cadre du développement d’un larynx artificiel, les expérimentations sur l’animal et les essais cliniques ont mis en évidence un défaut de ré-épithélialisation de la face endoluminale de la prothèse. Cet épithélium respiratoire est absolument nécessaire pour obtenir un dispositif implantable totalement intégré dans le corps mais également pour la fonctionnalité d’un tel implant. Dans ce travail nous avons développé de nouveaux films d’hydrogels de collagène et d’acide hyaluronique interpénétrés et réticulés pour assurer une repousse épithéliale rapide. Ces films d’hydrogels optimisés ont une résistance suffisante à l’hydrolyse pour limiter leur dégradation précoce une fois implantés. Ils ont été fonctionnalisés par des facteurs de croissance et de différenciation cellulaire libérés de façon progressive avec un résultat objectivé sur la prolifération cellulaire. L’encapsulation de cellules immunitaire et l’utilisation de cytokines dans ces gels permettent également de moduler la réponse inflammatoire vers un processus de cicatrisation plutôt que de rejet. / As part of the development of an artificial larynx, in vivo experiments and clinical trials have revealed a defect in re-epithelialization of the endoluminal side of the prosthesis. This respiratory epithelium is absolutely necessary to obtain an implantable device fully integrated into the body but also for the functionality of such an implant. In this work we have developed patches of interpenetrated and reticulated hydrogels based on collagen and hyaluronic acid to ensure rapid epithelial regrowth. These optimized hydrogel patches have sufficient resistance to hydrolysis to limit their early degradation once implanted. They have been functionalized by growth and cell differentiation factors that are released gradually with an objectified result on cell proliferation. Encapsulation of immune cells and the use of cytokines in these gels also modulate the inflammatory response towards a healing process rather than rejection.

Les travaux de recherche réalisés, dans le cadre de la préparation de cette thèse ont pour objectif l’élaboration de nouveaux réseaux thermoréversibles biodégradables à base de polyglycolide (PGA) et d’hydrogels à base de polylactide (PLA) modifiés chimiquement au moyen du noyau furanique et du cycle maléimide. La réticulation du PGA, en suivant deux stratégies, en vue d’élaborer des réseaux thermoréversibles et biodégradables via la réaction de Diels-Alder a fait l’objet de la première partie de ce travail. Le but était entre autres de valoriser le PGA en conduisant à des structures réticulées avec des propriétés mécaniques requises tout en améliorant ses propriétés de stabilité. Des réseaux hybrides de PLA/PEG et PLA/PHEMA ont été ensuite synthétisés en phase fondu en adoptant la réaction de Diels-Alder comme mécanisme de réticulation. Une fois obtenus, leur mise au contact de l’eau conduit à la formation d’hydrogels. Les analyses structurales menées par RMN ont permis de confirmer la formation des structures attendues. La thermoréversibilité des réseaux obtenus a été montrée par des analyses rhéologiques. La morphologie des gels avant et après gonflement a été analysée par Microscopie Electronique à balayage. La dégradabilité des réseaux préparés a été examinée selon deux modes : hydrolytique et par les microorganismes en milieu aérobie. / The research conducted for the preparation of this thesis aims to develop new thermoreversible and biodegradable polyglycolic-acid (PGA) based networks and polylactic-acid (PLA) based hydrogels, from polymers chemically modified by means of furanic, and maleimide cycle. The cross-linking of PGA to develop thermoreversible and biodegradable networks via the Diels-Alder reaction has been done by following two strategies and was the first part of this work. The aim was, among other things, to enhance the PGA by leading to reticulated structures with required mechanical properties while improving its stability properties. Hybrid networks of PLA / PEG and PLA / PHEMA were then synthesized in the melt by adopting the Diels-Alder reaction as a crosslinking mechanism. Once obtained, their contact with water leads to the formation of hydrogels. NMR structural analyzes confirmed the formation of expected structures. The thermoreversibility of the obtained networks has been shown by rheological analyzes. The morphology of the gels before and after swelling was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy. The degradability of prepared networks was examined in two modes: hydrolytic and aerobic by microorganisms.

Ce travail a pour objet l'obtention et la caractérisation de nouveaux copolymères amphiphiles et d'hydrogels à hydrophilie contrôlée, à partir de polymères naturels, avec comme utilisations potentielles la vectorisation de principes actifs. En conséquence, il est donc nécessaire que les polymères utilisés pour l’obtention de ces architectures répondent à un certain nombre de contraintes, notamment être non-toxiques, biocompatibles et biodégradables. Pour ces raisons, on retient le plus souvent comme matériaux de départ des polymères naturels, en particulier les polysaccharides. Quelques polymères synthétiques répondent aussi à ces contraintes, telle que la polycaprolactone. Ainsi, le matériau de base utilisé dans ce travail est l'amidon sur lequel a été greffé soit la poly (ε-caprolactone), soit une chaîne grasse. La thèse est structurée en cinq chapitres consacrés d'une part au greffage de structures hydrophobes sur l'amidon et la formation d'hydrogels à hydrophobie modulable, d'autre part à la vectorisation de la lévofloxacine par ces composés. La première partie traite du greffage de la polycaprolactone sur l'amidon par "click chemistry" (CuAAC) entre l’amidon fonctionnalisé par des fonctions alcynes et des polycaprolactones à fonction azoture en bout de chaîne, ces dernières étant préalablement obtenues par POC de la caprolactone. Les réactions de CuAAC ont été effectuées non seulement selon les protocoles habituels, mais aussi par micro ondes. Par ailleurs, l'amidon a aussi été hydrophobisé par les méthodes usuelles d'estérification par une chaîne grasse via le chlorure de l’acide palmitoique. Les produits ainsi obtenus ont été caractérisés par RMN, IR, XPS et leur comportement dans différents solvants (solubilité, gonflement) a été étudié. Une seconde partie est consacrée à l'élaboration d'hydrogels à base d’amidon et d’amidon modifié avec des chaînes d’acides gras et de PCL par réticulation avec l’acide citrique. Afin d'atteindre les objectifs, une stratégie multifactorielle expérimentale avec deux variables indépendantes a été utilisée. La modélisation mathématique des données expérimentales permet de remonter aux paramètres physico-chimiques pertinents, montre les effets de synergie et établit les conditions d'optimisation. Une dernière partie a permis d'évaluer les cinétiques de libération de la lévofloxacine, un antibiotique de dernière génération, par les hydrogels obtenus. Les matériaux obtenus ont montré des propriétés de libération contrôlée potentiellement intéressantes. Les résultats obtenus au cours de cette thèse ont été évalués par la publication de trois articles et par dissémination des résultats au six conférences internationales. / This work is part of a current field that has grown steadily in recent years and aims to obtain and characterize amphiphilic polymers and hydrogels with controlled hydrophilicity, derived from natural polymers, with potential use as controlled drug delivery systems. Acting in contact with the body or inside it, it is necessary that the polymers used to obtain these architectures meet a number of constraints to be non-toxic, biocompatible and biodegradable. For these reasons, most of the time natural polymers are chosen, especially those from the class of polysaccharides, but there are also synthetic polymers that meet these requirements. Thus, the materials considered were: starch, poly (ε-caprolactone), palmitoyl chloride, citric acid, their by-products of degradation being non toxic. The thesis is divided into two parts, one theoretical and one experimental, and structured into five chapters, wherein: the first chapter is the theoretical and the others, the original, experimental part. In a first time, starch was hydrophobized by grafting poly-caprolactone using "click chemistry" (CuAAC) (using the traditional way and the one using the microwaves) between starch chains bearing alkyne side functions and polycaprolactone chains with azide chain end function, these latter being synthesized by ROP of caprolactone. Another way consists in the esterification with long fatty acid chains. Physico-chemical analysis, morphological and the behavior in different solutions have been made to obtain information about both the structure and the characteristics of the products. in a second part, hydrogels based on starch and modified starch with fatty acid chains or PCL and crosslinked with citric acid have been obtained. To achieve the objectives, a strategy with two experimental independent variables was used, the mathematical modeling of experimental data giving information on the existing phenomena, and showing the synergistic effects and at the same time establishing the conditions for optimization. After evaluation of the kinetics of controlled release of levofloxacin, an antibiotic, from the synthesized hydrogels, the materials based on modified starch have shown to present sustained release properties superior in terms of slowing release, a feature that recommends them successfully in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics applications. The results obtained in this thesis have been evaluated by the publication of three articles and dissemination of results at six international conferences.

La vaccination, particulièrement chez les espèces animales, demeure toujours un outil efficace de préventions des maladies infectieuses. Les adjuvants sont des composants généralement indispensables dans la formulation des vaccins de par leurs rôles de vecteurs de l'antigène ainsi que de stimulateurs du système immunitaire. En effet, les antigènes seuls, pour la plupart, ne permette pas d'induire une protection satisfaisantes. Les propriétés uniques du chitosane, polymère naturel biocompatible et biodégradable, offrent un matériau de choix pour l'élaboration de nouvelles générations d'adjuvant tel que des nanoparticules ou des hydrogels.Les travaux de cette thèse ont portés sur l'élaboration d'adjuvants à base de chitosane chez l'animal. La préparation de solutions visqueuses de chitosane (0, 2 = Cp = 0,75 % (w/v)) en association avec différents types d'antigènes à savoir une souche atténuée de bactéries vivantes atténuées, de virus vivants atténués ou inactivités ainsi qu'une protéine recombinante purifié ont permis d'obtenir une réponse immunitaire chez les différentes espèces animales étudiées. Par ailleurs, le chitosane, par l'inspection des animaux durant les essais ainsi que post-mortem, a démontré une bonne innocuité ainsi qu'une résorbabilité satisfaisante. Dans le cadre du développement d'un système de relargage retardé d'antigènes, nous avons débuté l'élaboration d'un système permettant de prélever et d'injecter, via un système classique seringue/aiguille, une solution visqueuse gélifiante en conditions physiologiques (150 mM, 37°C). La diffusion plus lente d'un antigène associé à ce matériau a pour objectif d'améliorer la protection des animaux en stimulant de manière prolongée les différents acteurs du système immunitaire / Vaccination, especially in animal species, remains already an efficient tool in the prevention of infectious diseases. The carrier and immunostimulant properties of adjuvant allow increasing the action of antigen which, alone, is not enough capable to induce a long and strong immune response in host. The unique properties of chitosan, a biocompatible and biodegradable natural polymer, offer a choice material to elaborate new generations of adjuvant such as nanoparticles or hydrogels.This PhD works was focus on the development of chitosan-based adjuvant for animal species. The preparation of chitosan-based viscous solutions, with a polymer concentration from 0.2 to 0.75 % (w/v) mixed with different kind of antigens such as live attenuated bacteria, live attenuated or inactivated virus and a recombinant protein allowed obtaining an immune response in the studied animals. Moreover, the observation of animals during the protocol or in post-mortem inspections indicated a satisfying safety and resorbability. In vitro experiments were also conducted developing a syringeable and injectable in situ gelling chitosan-based hydrogel containing a model protein, destined to standard injection system. The slow release of antigen in the host should interact with the immune system longer increasing the final protection against diseases

Degradable low-fouling hydrogels are ideal vehicles for drug and cell delivery. For each application, hydrogel degradation rate must be re-optimized for maximum therapeutic benefit. We developed a method to rapidly tune degradation rates of low-fouling poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (P(EG)xMA) hydrogels by modifying two interdependent variables: (1) base-catalyzed crosslink degradation kinetics, dependent on crosslinker electronics (electron withdrawing groups (EWGs)); and (2) polymer hydration, dependent on the molecular weight (MW) of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) pendant groups. By controlling EWG strength and PEG pendant group MW, P(EG)xMA hydrogels were tuned to degrade over 6 to 52 d. A six-member P(EG)xMA copolymer library yielded slow and fast degrading low-fouling hydrogels for short- and long-term delivery applications. The degradation mechanism was also applied to RGD-functionalized poly(carboxybetaine methacrylamide) (PCBMAA) hydrogels to achieve slow (52 d) and fast (13 d) degrading low-fouling, bioactive hydrogels. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / The delivery of drugs and cells to disease sites is hindered by transport barriers, which can be overcome through local delivery. Injectable hydrogels can serve as local depots that release drugs or cells to improve therapeutic benefit. Currently, however, hydrogels suffer from uncontrolled degradation in the body, degrading at unpredictable rates dependent on the local environment; hydrogels with predictable and tunable degradation rates are therefore required. Herein, we report a method to produce a library of polymers that in situ crosslink to form hydrogels with a range of degradation rates only influenced by the local environments pH, a known quantity. Moreover, the polymers are low-fouling and therefore have minimal non-specific interactions with biomolecules and cells, which improves biocompatibility.

Chapter 1: Luminescence property of lanthanide and its applications Lanthanides are well-known for their unique luminescence property and have found widespread applications in sensing, bioimaging, lasers, optoelectronic devices, etc. Due to Laporte forbidden f-f transitions, lanthanides have very low intrinsic emission. The problem can be overcome by use of an ‘antenna’, which is an organic chromophore with excited state energy higher than the lanthanides’ emitting levels. Thereby it is possible to get highly emitting lanthanide complexes through energy transfer from the ‘antenna’. Due to long lifetime of lanthanides’ excited states, it's possible to perform time delayed measurement which is useful in bioassays and bioimaging since the short-lived background emission is effectively filtered. Research in supramolecular metallogels has grown rapidly in recent years, and already proven to have potential for designing advanced materials for a variety of applications, such as sensing, optoelectronics, catalysis, nanoparticle synthesis, biomedicine etc. A supramolecular gel where a lanthanide is an integrated part of it can combine the advantages of the supramolecular gel along with the unique property of lanthanide luminescence and thus such materials can be explored for potential applications. This chapter discusses the background information on the unique luminescence of lanthanides, and some examples of the applications of lanthanide complexes and lanthanide based gels. Chapter 2: Lanthanide luminescence based enzyme sensing in hydrogels This chapter describes the use of Tb/Eu luminescence in the sensing of biologically important enzymes. We discovered the sensitization of Eu(III) in Eu-cholate gel by 1-hydroxypyrene, and of Tb(III) in Tb-cholate gel by 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene. These two sensitizers were covalently modified and sensitizer-appended hybrid (artificial) enzyme substrates were prepared for a few biologically important hydrolases. The covalently modified sensitizer termed as “pro-sensitizers”, didn't sensitize Tb(III)/Eu(III) in the hydrogel and no photoluminescence was observed. In the presence of the appropriate enzyme in the hydrogel, the pro-sensitizer was cleaved to liberate the sensitizer, which led to an enhancement of luminescence with time. Alkaline phosphatase and β-lactamase were assayed using pyrene phosphate and pyrene-oxo-cephalosporanic acid derivatives, respectively, in Eu-cholate hydrogel (Figure 1). β-Galactosidase was assayed using Tb(III) luminescence in Tb-cholate gel. The enzyme detection was based on red/green luminescence response from the gel. To understand the behaviour of the enzymes in the hydrogel, kinetic parameters were determined. The detection of different enzymes was also demonstrated in natural/biological samples like blood serum, milk and almond extract. Figure 1. Three different pro-sensitizers used for alkaline phosphatase, β-lactamase and β-galactosidase assays Chapter 3: Enzyme sensing on paper discs using lanthanide luminescence Developing a user-friendly biosensor is of considerable importance in clinical and analytical chemistry. Paper based biosensor design is an emerging field of research and paper based point of care (PoC) testing devices have already found applications in clinical, veterinary, environmental, food safety, security etc. Paper is made out of natural cellulose fibres, and has advantages of low cost, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and user friendliness. Paper based sensors have been used for the detection of ions, glucose, proteins, nucleic acids, antigens etc., with mostly colorimetric, fluorescent, electrochemical, chemiluminescence and Electrochemiluminescence readouts. In this work, the non luminescent Tb(III) and Eu(III) were embedded on paper as their cholate hydrogels and were used for detecting different hydrolases. Pro-sensitizers, as reported in Chapter 2, were immobilized on paper for the detection of a specific enzyme. The “pro-sensitizer” released the sensitizer upon enzyme action and led to luminescence enhancement from the gel coated paper disc. By this way, four different hydrolase enzymes detection were carried out using Tb(III)/Eu(III) luminescence as the readout (Figure 2) and the practical utility was demonstrated by the detection of specific enzymes in natural/biological samples. This paper disc based enzyme sensing provides a simpler and user friendly approach over the contemporary approach of enzyme sensing typically carried out in solution. Figure 2. Paper based biosensors for hydrolase enzymes Chapter 4: Luminescence resonance energy transfer in self-assembled supramolecular hydrogels Luminescence resonance energy transfer is a phenomenon of energy transfer between a FRET (Förster resonance energy transfer) pair, where a lanthanide is the donor. Lanthanides have attracted attention for the last several decades for their unique luminescence properties. LRET is a FRET process along with added advantages of Lanthanides, i.e. long lifetime of the lanthanides and characteristics emission spectra. LRET has been used for studying interaction of biomacromolecues, immunoassay, bioassays, etc. LRET in either a supramolecular organogel or a hydrogel is still an unexplored field. In this work we showed the energy transfer from Tb(III) to two different red emitting dyes in Tb-cholate hydrogel (Figure 3). The self assembly processes during hydrogelation assisted the energy transfer process without any need for laborious synthesis. The energy transfer was confirmed by time delayed emission, excitation spectra and lifetime measurement in the hydrogels. Energy transfer was observed both in the gel and the xerogel states. These luminescent materials may find applications in optoelectronics. Figure 3. Energy transfer from DHN to Tb3+ and then to red emitting dyes (Rhodamine B & Sulforhodamine 101) in the Tb-Cholate hydrogel Chapter 5: Room temperature synthesis of Lanthanide phosphate nanoparticle using a gel as a soft template Lanthanide orthophosphates are an important class of rare earth compounds, and have widespread applications in laser materials, optical sensors, heat resistance materials, solar cell etc. There are several methods in the literature for the synthesis of rare earth phosphate nanoparticles. Most of these are based on hydrothermal, microwave assisted, micro emulsion, arrested precipitation etc., which invariably dependent on stringent conditions such as (i) high temperatures and pressures, (ii) inert atmosphere and (iii) the use of external capping agents as stabilizers. Synthesis of such nanoparticles under milder conditions would always be preferable. In this context, the preparation of nanoparticles using hydrogel as template can be a possible alternative approach. The LnPO4 nanoparticle synthesis was done by diffusion of Na3PO4 in Ln-cholate hydrogels. The particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and powder XRD analysis. TEM showed the formation of 3-4 nm size particles with an ordered arrangement on the gel fibre. This work demonstrated that the lanthanide cholate gels have high potential for the synthesis, and immobilization of lanthanide phosphate nanoparticles at room temperature to produce new types of composite materials. (For structural formula pl see the abstract pdf file)