The field of micro total analysis systems (μTAS) aims at developments toward miniaturized and fully integrated lab-on-a-chip systems for applications, such as drug screening, drug delivery, cellular assays, protein analysis, genomic analysis and handheld point-of-care diagnostics. Such systems offer to dramatically reduce liquid sample and reagent quantities, increase sensitivity as well as speed of analysis and facilitate portable systems via the integration of components such as pumps, valves, mixers, separation units, reactors and detectors. Precise microfluidic control for such systems has long been considered one of the most difficult technical barriers due to integration of on-chip fluidic handling components and complicated off-chip liquid control as well as fluidic interconnections. Actuation principles and materials with the advantages of low cost, easy fabrication, easy integration, high reliability, and compact size are required to promote the development of such systems. Within this thesis, liquid displacement in microfluidic applications, by means of expandable microspheres, is presented as an innovative approach addressing some of the previously mentioned issues. Furthermore, these expandable microspheres are embedded into a PDMS matrix, which composes a novel thermally responsive silicone elastomer composite actuator for liquid handling. Due to the merits of PDMS and expandable microspheres, the composite actuator's main characteristic to expand irreversibly upon generated heat makes it possible to locally alter its surface topography. The composite actuator concept, along with a novel adhesive PDMS bonding technique, is used to design and fabricate liquid handling components such as pumps and valves, which operate at work-ranges from nanoliters to microliters. The integration of several such microfluidic components promotes the development of disposable lab-on-a-chip platforms for precise sample volume control addressing, e.g. active dosing, transportation, merging and mixing of nanoliter liquid volumes. Moreover, microfluidic pumps based on the composite actuator have been incorporated with sharp and hollow microneedles to realize a microneedle-based transdermal patch which exhibits on-board liquid storage and active dispensing functionality. Such a system represents a first step toward painless, minimally invasive and transdermal administration of macromolecular drugs such as insulin or vaccines. The presented on-chip liquid handling concept does not require external actuators for pumping and valving, uses low-cost materials and wafer-level processes only, is highly integrable and potentially enables controlled and cost-effective transdermal microfluidic applications, as well as large-scale integrated fluidic networks for point-of care diagnostics, disposable biochips or lab-on-a-chip applications. This thesis discusses several design concepts for a large variety of microfluidic components, which are promoted by the use of the novel composite actuator. Results on the successful fabrication and evaluation of prototype devices are reported herein along with comprehensive process parameters on a novel full-wafer adhesive bonding technique for the fabrication of PDMS based microfluidic devices. / QC 20100817

Macroporous ceramic materials have found widespread technological application ranging from particulate filters in diesel engines, tissue engineering scaffolds, and as support materials in carbon capture processes. This thesis demonstrates how the pore space of macroporous alumina can be manipulated, analysed in three-dimensions (3D) using visualisation techniques, and functionalised with a CO2-adsorbing material. A novel method was developed to produce macroporous alumina materials: by combining sacrificial templating with thermally expandable polymeric microspheres and gel-casting of an alumina suspension. This method offers a versatile production of macroporous ceramics in which the level of porosity and the pore size distribution can easily be altered by varying the amount and type of spheres. The permeability to fluid flow could be regulated by controlling the connectivity of the pore space and the size of the smallest constrictions between the pores. Sacrificial templating with particle-coated expandable spheres significantly increased the fraction of isolated pore clusters and reduced both the sizes and the numbers of connections between neighbouring pores, compared to templating with un-coated spheres. The macroporous alumina materials were characterised with X-ray micro-computed tomography (μ-CT). The 3D data-sets obtained by X-ray μ-CT were used to calculate the spatial variation in porosity, the throat and pore size distributions and to calculate the permeability to fluid flow. The throat and pore size distributions were also able to be accurately quantified in only one extrusion and intrusion cycle with water-based porosimetry; a relatively novel and simple characterisation technique. The pore walls of the macroporous alumina materials were also coated with zeolite films by a colloidal processing technique. The CO2-uptake of the coated alumina materials and of hierarchically porous monoliths of zeolites was evaluated and compared. / As the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: Submitted. Paper 4: Accepted. Paper 5: Manuscript. Paper 6: Submitted.

Le besoin pour des biocapteurs à haute sensibilité mais simples à préparer et à utiliser est en constante augmentation, notamment dans le domaine biomédical. Les cristaux colloïdaux formés par des microsphères de polymère ont déjà prouvé leur fort potentiel en tant que biocapteurs grâce à l’association des propriétés des polymères et à la diffraction de la lumière visible de la structure périodique. Toutefois, une meilleure compréhension du comportement de ces structures est primordiale avant de pouvoir développer des capteurs efficaces et polyvalents. Ce travail propose d’étudier la formation et les propriétés des cristaux colloïdaux résultant de l’auto-assemblage de microsphères de polymère en milieu aqueux. Dans ce but, des particules avec différentes caractéristiques ont été synthétisées et caractérisées afin de corréler les propriétés des particules et le comportement de la structure cristalline. Dans un premier temps, des microsphères réticulées de polystyrène anioniques et cationiques ont été préparées par polymérisation en émulsion sans tensioactif. En variant la quantité de comonomère chargé, le chlorure de vinylbenzyltriméthylammonium ou le sulfonate styrène de sodium, des particules de différentes tailles, formes, polydispersités et charges surfaciques ont été obtenues. En effet, une augmentation de la quantité du comonomère ionique permet de stabiliser de façon électrostatique une plus grande surface et de diminuer ainsi la taille des particules. Cependant, au-dessus d’une certaine concentration, la polymérisation du comonomère en solution devient non négligeable, provoquant un élargissement de la distribution de taille. Quand la polydispersité est faible, ces microsphères chargées, même celles non parfaitement sphériques, peuvent s’auto-assembler et former des cristaux colloïdaux diffractant la lumière visible. Il semble que les répulsions électrostatiques créées par les charges surfaciques favorisent la formation de la structure périodique sur un grand domaine de concentrations et améliorent leur stabilité en présence de sel. Dans un deuxième temps, le besoin d’un constituant stimulable nous a orientés vers les structures cœur-écorce. Ces microsphères, synthétisées en deux étapes par polymérisation en émulsion sans tensioactif, sont formées d’un cœur de polystyrène et d’une écorce d’hydrogel. Différents hydrogels ont été utilisés afin d’obtenir des propriétés différentes : le poly(acide acrylique) pour sa sensibilité au pH, le poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) pour sa thermosensibilité, et, enfin, le copolymère poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acide acrylique) donnant une double sensibilité. Ces microsphères forment des cristaux colloïdaux diffractant la lumière visible à partir d’une certaine concentration critique et pour un large domaine de concentrations. D’après les changements observés dans les spectres de diffraction, les stimuli ont un impact sur la structure cristalline mais l’amplitude de cet effet varie avec la concentration. Ce comportement semble être le résultat des changements induits par la transition de phase volumique sur les interactions entre particules plutôt qu’une conséquence du changement de taille. Les interactions attractives de van der Waals et les répulsions stériques sont clairement affectées par la transition de phase volumique de l’écorce de poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). Dans le cas des microsphères sensibles au pH, les interactions électrostatiques sont aussi à considérer. L’effet de la concentration peut alors être mis en relation avec la portée de ces interactions. Finalement, dans l’objectif futur de développer des biocapteurs de glucose, les microsphères cœur-écorce ont été fonctionnalisées avec l’acide 3-aminophénylboronique afin de les rendre sensibles au glucose. Les effets de la fonctionnalisation et de la complexation avec le glucose sur les particules et leur empilement périodique ont été examinés. La structure cristalline est visiblement affectée par la présence de glucose, même si le mécanisme impliqué reste à élucider. / The need for biosensors with high sensibility but simple preparation and use has been increasing, especially in the biomedical field. Crystalline colloidal arrays (CCAs) formed by polymer microspheres have already demonstrated great potential for biosensing applications, combining the polymer properties to the visible light diffraction caused by their periodic structure. However, a better understanding of the behavior of such structures is essential in the objective to develop efficient and versatile biosensors. This work proposes to investigate the formation and properties of CCAs created by the self-assembly of polymer microspheres in aqueous medium. For that purpose, particles with different features have been synthesized and studied to highlight the correlation between the properties of the particles and the behavior of the CCAs. First, anionic and cationic cross-linked polystyrene microspheres have been prepared by surfactant-free emulsion polymerization. Different sizes, shapes, polydispersities and surface charge densities have been obtained by the use of various amounts of charged comonomers, either vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride or sodium styrenesulfonate. Indeed, an increasing amount of the ionic comonomer leads to a decreasing particle size because of the ability to electrostatically stabilize more surfaces. However, above a certain concentration, the polymerization of the comonomer in solution increases the polydispersity of the particle size. When allowed by a low polydispersity, the charged microspheres can self-assemble into CCAs with intense visible light diffraction, even for particles not quite spherical. It appears that the electrostatic repulsions created by the charges help in the formation of the periodic structure over a wide range of particle concentrations and improve their stability towards ionic strength. Secondly, the need for a sensitive component brought us to investigate core-shell structures. These microspheres, synthesized by a two-step surfactant-free emulsion polymerization, are made of a polystyrene core and a hydrogel shell. Different hydrogels have been used to achieve different properties: poly(acrylic acid) for pH-sensitivity, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) for thermosensitivity and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) for double sensitivity to both stimuli. Above a certain critical concentration, and over a wide range of concentrations, these microspheres also form CCAs with visible light diffraction. The resulting crystalline structures also display a response to the stimuli, visible through changes in the diffraction spectra, but the response appears to be dependent on the microsphere concentration. This behavior seems to be the result of a change in the interactions between particles rather than the outcome of the volume change of the particles. Attractive van der Waals and repulsive steric interactions are clearly affected by the temperature-induced volume phase transition of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microspheres. In the case of pH-sensitive, electrostatic interactions are also to be considered. The effect of concentration can then related to the range of the interactions. Finally, in the objective to develop glucose sensors, the previous microspheres have been functionalized with 3-aminophenylboronic acid to make them responsive to glucose. The effects of the functionalization and complexation with glucose on the particles and their CCAs have been investigated. The crystalline structure is clearly affected by the presence of glucose, even though the mechanism involved remains to be clarified.

Charakteristisch für Perlcellulose als Regenerat vom Typ Cellulose II sind sphärisch geformte, poröse Partikel mit einer hohen spezifischen Oberfläche und einer guten Bioverträglichkeit. Aufgrund ihrer Eigenschaften sind diese Cellulosemikropartikel besonders gut für medizinische Anwendungen geeignet. Im Mittelpunkt der Arbeit standen Herstellung, Charakterisierung und Modifizierung von Perlcellulosen mit Partikelgrößen von etwa 1 bis10 µm. Im Rahmen der Arbeit wurden zunächst sieben technische Cellulose-2,5-acetate mit vergleichbaren molekularen Eigenschaften auf ihre Eignung zur Herstellung von Perlcellulose nach dem in EP0750007 beschriebenen Acetatverfahren untersucht. Dabei erfolgte der Vergleich verschiedener Eigenschaften. Aus allen untersuchten Celluloseacetaten können Perlcellulosen synthetisiert werden. Als besonders geeignet erwies sich ein Produkt mit einer Molmasse von über 100.000, einem Verhältnis der Molmasse zur numerischen Molmasse von etwa 1,5 und einer guten Löslichkeit in Ethylacetat / Methanol (100:17,5). Die hergestellte Perlcellulose hat eine geringe Partikelgröße und eine relativ enge Größenverteilung. Damit erfüllt dieses Cellulose-2,5-acetat alle Anforderungen für die Synthese von Perlcellulose. Der entscheidende Verfahrensschritt zur Herstellung von Perlcellulose ist das Dispergieren der Emulsion mittels Inline-Ultraturrax. Die Partikelgrößenverteilung hängt im Wesentlichen von den Bedingungen während des Dispergierens ab. Im Rahmen der Arbeit gelang die reproduzierbare Herstellung von Cellulosemicrospheres mit einer Partikelgröße unter 5 µm. Für die Herstellung von Cellulosemikropartikeln mit definierten Eigenschaften ist neben den Synthesebedingungen auch die Charakterisierung der Perlcellulosen von entscheidender Bedeutung. Dafür wurden zunächst etablierte Verfahren verwendet (Partikelgrößenmessung, REM und Quecksilberporosimetrie). Parallel dazu erfolgte die Entwicklung bzw. Einführung neuer Methoden. Im Vordergrund stand die Untersuchung des Sedimentationsverhaltens der Perlcellulosen durch analytisches Zentrifugieren. Davon ausgehend konnte ein Verfahren zur Berechnung der Porosität aus dem Sedimentationsvolumen entwickelt werden. Zum Nachweis der kompletten Deacetylierung der Proben wurde die Ramanspektroskopie genutzt. Durch die Anwendung vorhandener und die Entwicklung neuer Methoden wird die genaue Einstellung von Eigenschaften der Perlcellulosen (z. B. Partikelgröße und deren Verteilung, Morphologie sowie Porosität) ermöglicht und deren Reproduzierbarkeit gewährleistet. Weitere Versuche hatten die Entwicklung von Endotoxinadsorbermaterial auf Basis von Perlcellulose und Polymyxin-B-sulfat (PMB) zum Ziel. Die Kopplung des PMB erfolgte meist nach Aktivierung der Proben mit Epichlorhydrin. Zunächst wurde die eingesetzte Epichlorhydrinmenge variiert, um das Optimum für die Aktivierung der Perlcellulosen zu finden. Weiterhin wurden unterschiedliche Mengen PMB angebunden und die Anbindung an nicht aktivierte Proben untersucht. Die Planung aller Versuche erfolgte jeweils nach Auswertung der an der Donau-Universität Krems durchgeführten Limulus- Amöbocyten- Lysat (LAL)-Tests. Mittels dieser Batchtests wurde die Wirksamkeit des Endotoxinadsorbermaterials sowohl im Vergleich zu unbehandeltem Blutplasma und als auch zu kommerziell erhältlichen Adsorbern auf Polystyrenbasis getestet. Endotoxinadsorber, die bei diesen Tests besonders gut bewertet wurden, konnten in einem up-scale- Versuch erstmals in größeren Mengen synthetisiert werden. Auch die direkte Herstellung von Endotoxinadsorbermaterial aus Perlcelluloseacetat konnte realisiert werden. Bei diesem neu entwickelten Verfahren erfolgen Deacetylierung und Aktivierung in einem Schritt. Damit kann die Herstellung vereinfacht werden. Zur Gewährleistung der Erstfehlersicherheit in extrakorporalen Blutreinigungssystemen sollen magnetisierte Perlcellulosepartikel als bioverträgliche Marker eingesetzt werden. Versuche zur Magnetisierung von Cellulosemikropartikeln während des Herstellungsprozesses zeigten, dass die Einbindung von Magnetit bei Erhalt der sphärischen Partikelstruktur prinzipiell auch auf diesem homogenen Syntheseweg möglich ist. / Bead cellulose is regenerated cellulose II characterized by spherically shaped, porous particles with a high specific surface and a good biocompatibility. Because of their properties these cellulose microspheres are especially suited for medical applications. The focus of this work was the synthesis, characterization and modification of bead cellulose with particle sizes between 1 to 10 µm. In the frame of this work seven technical cellulose-2.5-acetates were investigated with regard to their suitability for making bead cellulose according to the process described in EP0750007. These cellulose acetates have comparable molecular characteristics. Different properties were compared. Bead celluloses can be synthesized from all investigated cellulose acetates. A product with a molecular weight of more than 100,000 and with a ratio between molecular weight and numeric molecular weight of about 1.5 is special suited. This cellulose-2.5-acetate has a good solubility in ethyl acetate / methanol (100:17.5). The bead cellulose made from it has a low particle size and a relative narrow size distribution. Thus this cellulose acetate complies with the requirements for making bead cellulose. The most important process step for making bead cellulose is the dispersing of the emulsion using an inline-ultraturrax. The distribution of particle size depends mainly on the conditions during dispersing. A reproducible synthesis of cellulose microspheres with a particle size range below 5 µm was successfully achieved. In addition to determining conditions for manufacturing bead cellulose the characterization of the microspheres is essential to obtain bead cellulose with well defined properties. At first well-established methods of characterization were used (particle size measurement, SEM and mercury porosimetry). In parallel new methods were developed and implemented. The main focus was the investigation of sedimentation behaviour of bead cellulose using analytical centrifugation. Based on this knowledge of the sedimentation volume a new method to calculate the porosity was designed. Raman spectroscopy was used for detecting the complete deacetylation of the samples. By using well-established and newly developed methods properties of bead cellulose such as particle size and distribution, morphology and porosity can be accurately adjusted. In this way the reproducible synthesis of cellulose microspheres can be ensured. The aim of further experiments was to develop an endotoxin adsorber material based on a coupling of bead cellulose with Polymyxin B sulfate (PMB). The coupling with PMB was carried out after activation of the samples by using epichlorohydrin. At first the added epichlorohydrin amount was diversified in order to find the optimum for the activation of bead cellulose. Later the coupling of different amounts of PMB took place and the linking of PMB to non activated samples was investigated too. The planning of all experiments occurred after evaluation of Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) tests at Danube-University Krems. Using these batch tests the effectiveness of the endotoxin adsorber material was tested compared to untreated blood plasma as well as commercial available adsorbers based on polystyrene. Endotoxin adsorbers showing the best adsorption rate were then synthesized for the first time in larger quantities. Also the direct synthesis of endotoxin adsorber material based on bead cellulose acetate could be realized. Using this newly developed method, deacetylation and activation occur during the same step. This means manufacturing process can be simplified. Using magnetized bead cellulose as biocompatible marker particles is planned to achieve first fault safety in case of a membrane rupture during extracorporeal blood purification. Initial tests have shown that the magnetization of cellulose microspheres is possible during the manufacturing process. The incorporation of magnetite can be realized while keeping the spherical shape of the particles using this homogenous synthesis pathway.

Nesta Dissertação, foram sintetizadas microesferas poliméricas com propriedades magnéticas à base de metacrilato de glicidila e divinilbenzeno pela técnica de polimerização em suspensão. O material utilizado para conferir as propriedades magnéticas ao copolímero foi magnetita sintetizada no laboratório. Foram estudados os efeitos da modificação da magnetita com ácido oleico, da velocidade de agitação, do teor de agente reticulante, do teor de material magnético adicionado e do teor de agente de suspensão sobre as características das partículas poliméricas obtidas. As microesferas foram caracterizadas quanto ao seu aspecto morfológico, à estabilidade térmica, à incorporação de material magnético e quanto às suas propriedades magnéticas. A quantidade de partículas de ferro incorporadas foi afetada pela velocidade de agitação durante a síntese, pelo teor de material magnético adicionado, pela fase de dispersão do material magnético e pelo teor de monômeros no copolímero. A estabilidade térmica dos copolímeros foi afetada, principalmente, pelo teor de material magnético incorporado e pelo teor de monômeros, levando em consideração resinas com a mesma quantidade de material magnético adicionado. A magnetização de saturação para as microesferas foi afetada pelo teor de material magnético incorporado. A modificação da superfície da magnetita com ácido oleico foi considerada importante para a incorporação do material magnético na matriz do copolímero.Partículas poliméricas magnéticas com comportamento superparamagnéticos foram obtidas com morfologia esférica e magnetização de saturação de 7,11 (emu/g), utilizando razão molar de monômeros de 50/50 %, 1 % de PVA, 20 % de magnetita modificada com ácido oleico adicionada à fase orgânica e velocidade de agitação mecânica de 500 rpm / In this dissertation, polymeric microspheres with magnetic properties based on glycidyl methacrylate and divinylbenzene were synthesized by suspension polymerization technique. In order to obtain magnetic properties, magnetite particles modified by oleic acid were synthesized in laboratory. The effects of stirring rate, concentration of crosslink, the concentration of magnetite added and the concentration of stabilizer on the particles properties were studied. The magnetic microspheres were characterized according their morphology, thermal stability, incorporation of magnetite and their magnetic properties. The incorporate of iron particles content was mainly affected by stirring rate during the synthesis, by the content of magnetic material added, by the dispersion phase of magnetic material and by the monomers content in the copolymer. The thermal stability of copolymers was mainly affected by the content of magnetic material incorporated and by the monomers content, taking in account the resins with the same content of magnetic material added. The saturation magnetization for the microspheres was effected by the content of magnetic material incorporated. The modification with oleic acid was considered important to the incorporation of the magnetic material in the copolymer matrix.Magnetic polymeric particles with superparamagnetic behavior have been obtained with spherical morphology and saturation magnetization of 7.11 (emu/g). It was used monomers molar ratio of 50/50 %, 1% PVA, 20 % magnetite particles modified by oleic acid dispersion on organic phase and stirring rate of 500 rpm during the synthesis

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Prostate cancer is the second cause of death in men by tumor, surpassed only by lung cancer. Its occurrence is estimated to be 51 to 100,000 cases per year. The increasing incidence levels observed may be partially explained by the evolution of diagnostic methods, quality of information systems and longer life expectancy. The identification of new cancer specific antigens and genes may provide important biomarkers for diagnosis and instruments for the development of new treatment strategies. The Phage Display technology may be able to select peptides with different aims, such as the discovery of mimetic antigens that are recognized by specific antibodies. Selected peptides may become potential tumor biomarkers for prostate cancer diagnosis. It could be possible to use this technology to identify proteins that are able to detect cancer earlier than the conventional methods, to predict disease staging, and to develop new treatment strategies based on more efficient biological targets. The immunization of SPF (specific pathogen free) male chickens with total proteins of tissues of prostate cancer has generated polyclonal specific IgY sera, which were used in biopanning procedures against random peptide libraries. Selected phages were characterized by sequencing and bioinformatics, and subsequently by dot immunoblotting and ELISA to validate their specificity. Selected peptides were mimotopes of putative proteins involved in the carcinogenesis process. These peptides were further tested for their possible use in the immune response diagnostics associated with tumor processes. In this work, we have also successfully developed a general immunosensor for diagnostics, performed on an exclusion liquid chromatography system based on a micro column resin separation, using the selected bacteriophages as carriers of antigens and antibodies. These phage are coupled to colored latex beads, which are activated with different chemical groups. The presence of phage in the process is of fundamental importance, once they favor the formation of the antigen-antibody complex, peptide-protein or peptide-substrate, amplifying the optical detection during chromatographic separation or by micro-agglutination in slides for optical microscopy detection. The new technology is practical and simple, and may also be used for detection of other biomolecules or chemical substances associated with infectious and genetic diseases, with high precision, sensitivity, specificity, and rapidity, using low sample volumes and presenting a low cost. / O câncer de próstata é a segunda causa de óbitos por câncer em homens, sendo superado apenas pelo câncer de pulmão. A ocorrência estimada é de 51 casos novos para cada 100 mil homens por ano para este tipo de câncer. O aumento observado nas taxas de incidência pode ser parcialmente justificado pela evolução dos métodos diagnósticos, pela melhoria na qualidade dos sistemas de informação do país e pelo aumento na expectativa de vida do brasileiro. A identificação de novos antígenos ou genes específicos do câncer de próstata pode prover novos biomarcadores e também fornecer instrumentos para o desenvolvimento de novas modalidades de tratamento. A tecnologia de Phage Display é capaz de selecionar peptídeos com diversas finalidades, como mimetizar antígenos reconhecidos por anticorpos. Peptídeos selecionados por esta técnica são potenciais marcadores tumorais para o diagnóstico do câncer de próstata. Por meio desta metodologia pode ser possível identificar proteínas capazes de detectar a resposta imune contra o tumor mais precocemente do que os métodos tradicionais, predizer o estadio atual do tumor, além de permitir o desenvolvimento de tratamentos mais eficientes. Pela imunização de galos SPF (livre de patógenos específicos) com proteínas totais de tecidos tumorais da próstata, foram obtidas IgY policlonais específicas que foram utilizadas no biopanning contra uma biblioteca de peptídeos recombinantes randômicos. Os fagos selecionados foram caracterizados por seqüenciamento e subsequentemente testados por dot immunoblotting e ELISA para validar a especificidade dos mesmos. Selecionou-se peptídeos que mimetizam proteínas prostáticas, possivelmente proteínas envolvidas no processo de tumorigênese. Esses peptídeos foram testados quanto a sua possível utilização no diagnóstico da resposta imune associada a processos tumorais. Neste trabalho, também foi desenvolvido com sucesso um imunossensor para diagnóstico que tem como base de detecção um sistema de cromatografia líquida por exclusão em micro colunas cromatográficas com bacteriófagos filamentosos carreadores de antígeno(s) e/ou anticorpo(s), selecionados por phage display, acoplados microesferas de látex coloridas, ativadas com diferentes grupamentos químicos. A presença do fago é de grande importância no processo, pois favorece a formação dos complexos antígeno-anticorpo, peptídeo-proteína ou peptídeo-substrato, ampliando a detecção ótica durante a separação por cromatografia ou por microaglutinação em microscopia ótica. A nova tecnologia pode também ser usada para a detecção de biomoléculas ou substâncias químicas associados a doenças infecciosas, parasitárias e genéticas, com rapidez, precisão, sensibilidade e reprodutibilidade, utilizando-se pequenos volumes de amostras e reagentes, apresentando praticidade e baixos custos. / Doutor em Genética e Bioquímica

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de NÃvel Superior / Este trabalho tem como objetivo a sÃntese e caracterizaÃÃo de nano e micropartÃculas para liberaÃÃo de fÃrmaco para tratamento da malÃria. Microesferas de quitosana de alta massa molar (QTa) e goma do chichà (CH) foram sintetizadas por complexaÃÃo polieletrolÃtica e reticuladas com glutaraldeÃdo. Os diÃmetros das microesferas reticuladas e nÃo-reticuladas foram de 544  3 μm e 558  2 μm, respectivamente. As esferas reticuladas nÃo foram solÃveis em meio Ãcido (pH 1,2). Ensaios de intumescimento mostraram que as microesferas intumesciam mais em pH 1,2 do que em pH 7,4 e que as reticuladas possuÃam menor intumescimento do que as nÃo reticuladas. A liberaÃÃo sequenciada de cloroquina, a partir das microesferas, foi realizada por 2 h em pH 1,2 seguida por uma liberaÃÃo em pH 7,4. A microesfera reticulada liberou 64% da cloroquina em pH 1,2, com um total do fÃrmaco liberado de 92%. O perfil de liberaÃÃo da mesma amostra em pH 7,4 apresenta uma liberaÃÃo controlada do fÃrmaco por cerca de 50 h. NanopartÃculas de QT e CH foram produzidas utilizando como rotas de sÃntese a complexaÃÃo polieletrolÃtica e formaÃÃo de base de Schiff. Na formaÃÃo de complexos polieletrolÃticos parÃmetros como massa molar da quitosana, razÃo molar de carga (n+/n-), ordem de adiÃÃo e concentraÃÃo dos polieletrÃlitos influenciam no tamanho, potencial zeta, Ãndice de polidispersividade e estabilidade das nanopartÃculas em soluÃÃo. O potencial zeta das partÃculas com excesso de QT à positivo e quando se diminui a razÃo molar de carga (n+/n-) para 0,1 o potencial torna-se negativo devido o excesso de chichÃ. Os diÃmetros das nanopartÃculas variaram de 80 a 1200 nm dependendo da concentraÃÃo dos polieletrÃlitos e da quitosana utilizada. NanopartÃculas formadas por quitosana de baixa massa molar (QTb) possuem tamanho maior do que as formadas por quitosana de alta massa molar (QTa). Quando a razÃo de cargas (n+/n-) e a concentraÃÃo dos polieletrÃlitos diminuem o tamanho das nanopartÃculas tambÃm diminui. Na liberaÃÃo da cloroquina em matrizes de CH, QTa e QTb de razÃo 5 e 0,1 duraram cerca 15 dias liberando atà 99% do fÃrmaco, porÃm apenas a razÃo de cargas influenciou no perfil da liberaÃÃo. NanopartÃculas formadas via base de Schiff foram preparadas. A influÃncia de parÃmetros tais como: grau de oxidaÃÃo da goma do chichÃ, massa molar da quitosana, ordem de adiÃÃo e razÃo entre as massas dos polissacarÃdeos foram investigados em relaÃÃo ao tamanho, potencial zeta e estabilidade. O potencial zeta mostrou-se positivo para partÃculas com excesso de QT e negativo para partÃculas com excesso de CH. Os diÃmetros das partÃculas variaram de 30 a 450 nm, dependendo do grau de oxidaÃÃo do CH e da massa molar de QT. Para goma do chichà com menor grau de oxidaÃÃo nanopartÃculas de QTa apresentaram-se maiores do que as formadas por QTb, e para a goma com maior grau de oxidaÃÃo nanopartÃculas de QTb possuÃam maiores tamanhos do que as formadas por QTa. / The aim of this work was the synthesis and characterization of nano and microparticles for malaria drug delivery system. Chitosan microspheres of high molar mass (QTa) and chichà gum (CH) were synthesized by polyelectrolyte complexation and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde. The diameters of the microspheres crosslinked and non-crosslinked were 544  3 μm and 558  2 μm, respectively. The crosslinked beads were not soluble in acidic medium (pH 1.2). The swelling of microspheres was higher in pH 1.2 and that the crosslinked beads have less swelling than non-crosslinked. The sequential release of chloroquine from the microspheres was performed for 2 h followed by a release in pH 7.4. The crosslinked microsphere released 64% of chloroquine at pH 1.2, with a total of drug released of 92%. The release profile of the same sample at pH 7.4 provides a controlled release of the drug for about 50h. QT and CH nanoparticles were prepared using polyelectrolyte complexation and formation of Schiff base. In the formation of polyelectrolyte complex, parameters such as molecular weight of chitosan, the molar ratio of charge (n+/ n-), order of addition and concentration of the polyelectrolyte influence the size, zeta potential, polydispersity index and stability of the nanoparticles in solution. The zeta potential of particles in excess of QT was positive and when the charg molar ratio (n+/ n ) decreases to 0.1 the potential becomes negative due to the excess of CH. The nanoparticles diameters vary from 80 to 1,200 nm depending on the concentration of the polyelectrolyte and the chitosan used. Chitosan nanoparticles formed by a low molecular weight (QTb) were larger than those formed by chitosan of high molecular weight (QTa). The decrease of the charge ratio (n+/n-) and the polyelectrolyte concentrations lead to small size nanoparticle. The release of chloroquine in matrices of CH, QTa and QTb ratio ratio 5 and 0.1 lasted 15 days by releasing up to 99% of the drug, however only the ratio influenced the release profile. Nanoparticles formed by Schiff base reaction were produced. The influence of parameters such as degree of oxidation of CH, chitosan molar mass, addition and masses ration of polysaccharides on size, zeta potential and stability were investigated. The zeta-potential was positive for particles with an excess of QT and negative with excess CH. The particle diameters ranged from 30 to 450 nm, depending on the degree of oxidation of CH and the molar mass of QT. Particle formed with low oxidation of CH and high molar mass chitosan are bigger than those formed with low molar mass chitosan. A inverse behavior was observed when high oxidated CH was used.

L’Annexine A5 (AnxA5) est une protéine soluble se liant aux membranes contenant de la phosphatidylsérine (PS) en présence de calcium (Ca2+). Le rôle central joué par l’AnxA5 dans les processus de réparation membranaire a été récemment mis en évidence. L’AnxA5 possède une très forte affinité pour les membranes biologiques contenant de la PS, cependant son mode de liaison aux membranes n’est pas encore élucidé.La première partie de mon travail de thèse a concerné le développement d’une approche originale d’étude de la liaison de l’AnxA5 à des microsphères de silice fonctionnalisées par une bicouche lipidique (µPSiO2@SLB pour supported lipid bilayer), par cytométrie en flux (FCM). Cette approche m’a permis d’étudier la liaison à l’équilibre et en cinétique à très faible concentration en AnxA5, de l’ordre du picomolaire. Cette approche représente une des méthodes les plus sensibles d’étude de liaison à l’équilibre et la première permettant d’accéder aux constantes cinétiques d’interaction pour l’AnxA5. Cette étude m’a également permis de mettre au point une stratégie de dosage indirect de liposomes contenant de la PS avec une sensibilité de l’ordre du nanogramme de lipides par millilitre.La seconde partie de ma thèse a concerné l’étude de microparticules (MP), fragments de membranes cellulaires présents dans les fluides biologiques. Dans le plasma sanguin la majorité des MP sont d’origine plaquettaire et exposent de la PS. Il existe une corrélation entre la concentration en MP plasmatiques exposant de la PS et le développement de pathologies thrombotiques. La FCM est la méthode de référence dans l’étude des MP cependant leur détection est rendue difficile par leur petite taille. J’ai appliqué aux MP plasmatiques le test de dosage développé pour les liposomes. Les résultats obtenus sont prometteurs et permettent d’envisager le développement d’un test de dosage de l’ensemble des MP exposant de la PS. / Annexin-A5 (AnxA5) is a soluble membrane binding protein that binds to phosphatidylserine (PS) containing membranes in a calcium dependent manner and plays a central role in cell membrane repair processes. AnxA5 has a remarkably high affinity for PS containing membranes, but its binding mechanism remains unclear.The first part of my PhD work was to develop a new method for studying AnxA5 binding using supported lipid bilayer functionalized silica microspheres (µPSiO2@SLB) and Flow Cytometry (FCM). This approach allowed me to describe in details both equilibrium and kinetics of AnxA5 binding at picomolar concentrations in AnxA5. This study is one of the most sensitive for equilibrium binding studies and the first allowing to measure binding kinetics constants for AnxA5. This study also led to the development of a new strategy for determination of liposome concentration with sensitivity in the range of one nanogram of lipid per milliliter. The second part of my work focused on microparticles (MP) that are cell membrane fragments found in biological fluids. In plasma, the vast majority of MP originates from platelets and expresses PS at their surface. There is a correlation between MP concentration in plasma and thrombotic risk. FCM is the “golden standard” of hæmatologic analysis but the majority of MPs are too small to be detected. I have applied the test developed with liposomes for the quantification of MP. The results are promising and allow foreseeing the development of a test able to give the absolute quantity of PS exposing MPs in plasma samples.

Diploma thesis was focused on identification of lactic acid bacteria of species Lactococcus lactis and subspecies Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis and Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris using species and subspecies specific polymerace chain reaction (PCR). PCR method was used for identification of bacteria of species Lactococcus lactis in 10 samples of hard cheeses. The method of sample preparation was evaluated for hard cheeses with the aim to receive sufficient amount of cells for the preparation of crude cell lysates. Whole DNA in quality suitable for PCR was separated using magnetic microspheres P(HEMA-co-GMA) in the presence of polyethylenglycol (PEG 6000) and sodium chloride. DNA isolated by phenol extraction was used as control of DNA isolation. PCR was used to the analysis of 7 strains of Lactococcus lactis from Collection of dairy microorganisms Laktofora (CCDM). Altogether 5 or 2 strains were identified into subspecies Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis and Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris, respectively.

Poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) gels grafted to redox-active metal monomers undergo sudden expansion-contraction activity in response to change in environmental conditions, such as temperature, pH, ion concentration, and oxidation states of the metal. The relevance of these conditions to biological systems has garnered attention for PNIPAM-based polymer as potential biomedical materials. Candidate transition metal monomers containing ruthenium and nickel cores were designed and synthesized for copolymerization with NIPAM and cross-linker methylene-bis-acrylamide in order to attain metallopolymer microspheres with a high percentage of metal incorporation. Synthesis of 4-vinyl-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine (vmbpy) was optimized from literature procedures for usage in the metal-containing monomers. Metal-containing monomers were then synthesized, purified, and characterized using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), proton nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H-NMR), X-ray diffraction, Ultraviolet-Visible light (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, and spectrofluorometry. While the Ru complex was pure and exhibited interesting photochemical properties, lability of the ligands on the Ni monomers resulted in complication of their synthesis. Polymer microspheres of poly(NIPAM-co-vmbpy), the cross-linked copolymer constructed from NIPAM and vmbpy monomers, were synthesized from modified emulsion polymerization procedures. Experimental setup parameters and conditions—such as the methods of injection of initiator and stirring, the time duration for incubating the emulsion, and the initiation temperature—were varied to assess their influences on the material properties of the final product. The polymers were tested for size and morphological uniformity by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). While varying the method of initiator injection had no measurable effect on the product, strong mechanical stirring and incubation of the polymer emulsion for 15-25 minutes at 71 °C procured similar polymer products. Consistent properties ensured the polymers' suitability for further material development. Preliminary morphological and spectroscopic characterization was conducted of metallopolymers made from Ru and Ni grafted to PNIPAM. Metallopolymers containing polypyridyl Ru cores exhibited desirable spectroscopic properties and spherical morphology.