Les copolymères à blocs amphiphiles sont des macromolécules composées d’au moins un bloc hydrophile lié chimiquement à un ou plusieurs blocs hydrophobes. En milieu aqueux, ils s’auto-associent pour former des micelles dont les cœurs constitués des blocs hydrophobes sont protégés de l’eau par une couronne constituée des blocs hydrophiles hydratés. La majorité des copolymères à blocs amphiphiles génèrent dans l’eau des micelles « gelées » ne présentant aucun échange de chaînes entre elles. Ceci vient du fait que l’énergie nécessaire pour extraire un bloc hydrophobe du cœur des objets est beaucoup trop importante. Par conséquent, les caractéristiques des micelles sont plus contrôlées cinétiquement que thermodynamiquement. Pour diminuer cette énergie nous avons incorporé des unités hydrophile acide acrylique (AA) dans le bloc hydrophobe de poly(acrylate de n-butyle) (PnBA). L’incorporation de 50% molaire d’unités AA dans le bloc hydrophobe conduit à la formation d’agrégats pH-sensibles dans le cas du dibloc PAA-b-P(AA0.5-stat-nBA0.5) comme montré dans une étude antérieure. Cette thèse a consisté en une analyse quantitative de la dynamique d’auto-association de copolymères dibloc et tribloc amphiphiles à base d’acrylate de n-butyle et d’acide acrylique dont les blocs hydrophobes contiennent 50% d’unités hydrophiles réparties de manière statistique. Les copolymères à blocs ont été synthétisés par polymérisation radicalaire contrôlée par ATRP. L’influence de la concentration, du pH, de la température et de la force ionique sur la structure et les propriétés mécaniques des systèmes auto-assemblés a été systématiquement étudiée. Par diffusion statique de la lumière nous avons montré la présence d’une concentration d’agrégation critique (CAC) au-dessus de laquelle, des micelles de type étoile (dibloc) ou fleur (tribloc) sont formées par auto-association des blocs hydrophobes. A plus fortes concentrations, des interactions répulsives de type volume exclu apparaissent entre les micelles étoiles. Pour les micelles fleurs, à l’inverse des interactions attractives conduisent au pontage des fleurs jusqu’à l’obtention de réseaux tri-dimensionnels au-dessus de la concentration de percolation. Une attraction trop importante entre les fleurs peut même conduire à une séparation de phase à forte force ionique et bas pH. En diffusion dynamique de la lumière, nous avons montré que la formation des réseaux s’accompagnait de l’apparition d’un mode lent dont l’origine a été expliquée par un mouvement balistique d’hétérogénéités relaxées dans les systèmes. La vitesse de relaxation de ces hétérogénéités s’avèrent être dépendantes des propriétés mécaniques des hydrogels. La formation des réseaux et la dynamique d’échange des chaînes ont été étudiées par rhéologie. La viscosité augmente régulièrement avec la concentration jusqu’à la concentration de percolation où une augmentation brusque de la viscosité se produit et un temps de relaxation apparaît. Le temps de vie des ponts a été finement contrôlé et modulé sur plusieurs décades par modification du pH, de la température et de la force ionique. La formation in-situ des hydrogels nous a permis de mettre en évidence un phénomène de vieillissement des réseaux après leur formation avant d’atteindre un état stationnaire. Ce phénomène s’est traduit par une augmentation du temps de relaxation au cours du temps avant d’atteindre une valeur plateau. Ceci nous a également permis de comprendre pourquoi il était possible de générer des réseaux homogènes, par vieillissement, possédant une dynamique extrêmement lente voir nulle. / Amphiphilic block copolymers are macromolecules composed of at least one hydrophilic block chemically linked to one or several hydrophobic blocks. In water, these macromolecules self-assemble to form micelles composed of a hydrophobic core surrounded by a hydrated hydrophilic corona. The majority of amphiphilic block copolymers form “frozen” micelles in aqueous solution. This means that there is no dynamic exchange of chains between micelles because the energy necessary to extract a hydrophobic block from the core of micelles is too high. Consequently, the characteristics of the micelles are controlled kinetically and not thermodynamically. In order to decrease this energy, we have incorporated acrylic acid units (AA) in the hydrophobic block of poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PnBA). It was previously shown that the incorporation of 50% molar of AA units in the hydrophobic block led to generation of pH-sensitive micelles in the case of PAA-b-P(AA0.5-stat-nBA0.5) diblocks. This thesis presents of a quantitative analysis of the dynamics of self-assembled amphiphilic diblock and triblock copolymer based on acrylic acid units and n-butyl acrylate units. The hydrophobic blocks contained 50% of acrylic acids units incorporated randomly. The block copolymers were synthesized by controlled radical polymerization (ATRP). The influence of the concentration, pH, temperature and the ionic strength on the structure and the mechanical properties of the self-assembled systems was systematically studied. At low concentrations, static light scattering measurements showed the formation of star-like micelles (diblock) or flower-like micelles (triblock) above a critical aggregation concentration (CAC). At higher concentrations, purely repulsive excluded volume interactions between micelles appeared in the case of diblock copolymers. In the case of triblock copolymers bridging of flower-like micelles induced in addition attractive interactions leading to network formation above the percolation concentration. At high ionic strength and low pH, we showed that the attraction between flower-like micelles became sufficiently stong to induce phase separation. Dynamic light scattering measurements showed besides a fast mode due to cooperative diffusion, a second slow relaxation mode that appeared at the percolation concentration. The origin of this mode was explained by a balistic motion induced by the relaxation of heterogeneities inside the system. The velocity of heterogeneities was determined by the mechanical relaxation of the hydrogels. The formation of the network and the exchange dynamic of chains were studied by rheology. The viscosity of solutions increased sharply at the percolation concentration. The terminal visco-elastic relaxation time of the network is related to the lifetime of bridges. It could be controlled and tuned over several decades by varing of pH, temperature and the ionic strength. The in-situ formation of networks revealed an aging of networks after their formation before they reached their stationary state. Aging caused a slow increase of the relaxation time before reaching its steady value. This explains why it is possible to generate homogeneous networks even if the network at steady is kinetically frozen.

L’objectif de ce travail est d'envisager les modifications de formulation ou de procédé dans la technologie de geltrusion développée par Batscap pour augmenter la fiabilité des supercondensateurs en limitant l'autodécharge. La technologie repose sur l’extrusion simultanée de polymères (PVDF, PVDF-HFP), d’un solvant (PC) et de charges (CA, NC). Le mélange réalisé en extrusion bivis est ensuite filmé et laminé sur le collecteur en aluminium. Dès lors, il a été fondamental de chercher à comprendre les interactions entre les différents composants de l’électrode, avec l’étude de la miscibilité du système ternaire polymère/polymère/solvant puis l’étude de l’adsorption du solvant sur les charges. Cette démarche a permis une meilleure compréhension des phénomènes impliqués en passant par une caractérisation approfondie du complexe, dans sa formulation actuelle aux différentes étapes du procédé. Ensuite, des modifications de formulations ont été envisagées. En particulier, l'effet de la structure et de la masse molaire des polymères sur l’adhésion a été étudié. Dans tous les cas, il a été envisagé de tester les possibilités offertes par l'utilisation d'un solvant différent (DMSO). Ce dernier étant un meilleur solvant du PVDF est plus facile à éliminer que le PC. Enfin, à partir des données rhéologiques du mélange, une modélisation mécanique, en utilisant le modèle de Maxwell à plusieurs temps de relaxation, a été menée dans l'opération de laminage du mélange en prenant en compte un comportement viscoélastique du gel. Toutes ces études ont permis de conclure sur les modifications pertinentes de la formulation ainsi que des conditions du procédé / The objective of this work is to consider changes in formulation or process of the geltrusion technology developed by Batscap to increase the reliability of supercapacitors by limiting self-discharge. The technology is based on the simultaneous extrusion of polymers (PVDF, PVDF-HFP), solvent (propylene carbonate) and fillers (activated carbon, carbon black). The mixture carried out in a twin-screw extrusion is then filmed and laminated on the aluminium collector. Therefore, it was important to understand the interactions between the different components of the electrode, and especially to study the miscibility of the ternary system polymer/polymer/solvent and also the adsorption of solvent on fillers. This approach has allowed a better understanding of the phenomena involved through a characterization of the complex, in its current form at different stages of the process. Then, changes in formulations were considered. In particular, the effect of the structure and molecular weight of the polymers on adhesion was studied. In all cases, it was envisaged to test the possibilities offered by the use of a different solvent (dimethyl sulfoxide). The latter being a better solvent for the PVDF, is also easier to remove than propylene carbonate. Finally, from the rheological data of the mixture, a mechanical modeling, using the multimodal Maxwell model, was conducted in the lamination step taking into account of the viscoelastic behavior of the gel. All these studies allow us to conclude on the relevant changes in the formulation and process conditions

Thesis advisor: Jeffery A. Byers / This dissertation focuses on the development of iron-based polymerization catalysts for use in the production of high commodity polymers, polyethylene and poly(lactic acid). Chapter one establishes the current landscape of the plastic market and outlines the advantages to developing iron-based catalysts. Chapter two then explores the use of bis(pyridinylimino)isoindolate-ligated iron complexes as a family of ethylene polymerization catalysts possessing distinctive mechanistic behavior. Chapter three moves to focus on the polymerization of stereoregular poly(lactic acid) from an achiral bis(imino)pyridine-ligated iron precatalyst. The mechanism for the desymmetrization of the catalyst is further detailed, and new avenues for enhancing the behavior of the reaction are discussed. Chapter four details the development of conditions for the rapid chain transfer polymerization of lactide and cyclohexene oxide, offering another tool by which value and complexity may be added to polymerization reactions carried out by this family of bis(imino)pyridine-ligated iron complexes. Finally, chapter five leverages the known redox-switchable features of bis(imino)pyridine-ligated iron complexes to develop reaction conditions for the controlled branching of poly(lactic acid) in a one-pot polymerization reaction. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2019. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Syftet med den här uppsatsen är att undersöka kvinnors potential till att utmana heteronormativa konventioner genom polyamorös praktik, samt att undersöka vilket motstånd kvinnorna mött eller möter från omgivningen och i kärleksrelationer med män. Studien utgår teoretiskt från Stevi Jacksons definition av heteronormativitet som en normerande, institutionaliserande struktur som reglerar normer för såväl sexualitet som kön, och Chris Beasleys teori om gränsöverskridande heterosexualitet, det vill säga olikkönade sexuella praktiker som har potential att utmana könade och sexuella ojämlikheter som struktureras av heteronormativitet. Undersökningen genomfördes genom semistrukturerade enskilda djupintervjuer, med tre kvinnor som definierar sig som polyamorösa och som har erfarenheter av kärleksrelationer med män. Dessa har sedan tolkats tematiskt genom lodrät och vågrät textanalys i enlighet med Heléne Thomssons systematiska textanalys. Resultaten visar på att kvinnorna utmanar heteronormativa föreställningar om att kvinnans sexualitet ska kontrolleras av en man, om att kvinnor bör hämma individuell utveckling till förmån för stabiliteten i en parrelation samt om att kvinnor är potentiella rivaler om män snarare än potentiella vänner, och om att kärleksrelationer bör prioriteras över platonska vänskapsrelationer. Kvinnorna möter motstånd i och med att omgivningen ofta förstår polyamori som sexuell promiskuitet, och att kvinnor i enlighet med den sexuella dubbelstandarden döms hårdare än män när de har flera sexuella partners. I kvinnornas relationer med män kvarstår och reproduceras vissa traditionella könsmönster, där männen i enlighet med ideal för hegemonisk maskulinitet ser kvinnornas andra manliga partners som rivaler, och där kvinnorna gör en större del av det känslomässiga arbetet än sina manliga partners. Det finns begränsningar, främst i form av bristande tidsmässiga och energimässiga resurser, för kvinnornas möjligheter att underhålla multipla kärleksrelationer i praktiken. Samtidigt menar jag att det finns frigörande potential i sig i att ha känslomässig och kroppslig autonomi att få inleda multipla relationer om man orkar och vill.

La conception de nanoparticules (NPs) polymériques pour le transport de médicaments dans la peau repose sur la compréhension du rôle de leurs compositions chimiques sur leurs interactions avec la peau, notamment la peau pathologique. Ce travail s'est attaché à définir le rôle de la composante hydrophile des NPs sur l'administration cutanée d'un principe actif lipophile modèle (cholécalciférol). Il a été remarqué que la composition hydrophile de polymères amphiphiles à base de PLA conditionnait les propriétés physicochimiques des NPs, notamment la taille, la surface, et la structure, tout comme la protection du cholécalciférol. Concernant l'absorption cutanée sur peau intacte, la composante hydrophile de NPs de 100 nm a eu peu d'influence. Une absorption cutanée du cholécalciférol légèrement plus importante a toutefois été obtenue à partir des NPs très riches en PEG hydrophile en comparaison aux NPs peu PEGylées. A l'inverse sur peau lésée, les NPs hydrophobes et négativement chargées de PLA seul ont permis la meilleure absorption du cholécalciférol. D'une part, la dynamique de la structure des NPs très PEGylées a permis une meilleure mouillabilité de la peau et une possible extraction de lipides cutanés, pouvant faciliter l'absorption sur peau intacte. D'autre part, la composition de la peau a conditionné la structure des NPs, puisque, sur peau lésée, les espèces ioniques libérées de la peau ont déstabilisé les NPs peu ou non PEGylées. Par adhésion à la surface de la peau, les agrégats de PLA ont pu ainsi faciliter l'absorption sur peau lésée.Lors du développement de formulations de NPs, leur composition chimique est donc à optimiser selon l'état pathologique de la peau / The design of clinically efficient polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) for skin drug delivery is based on the understanding of the influence of NPs chemical composition on their interactions with the skin tissue, notably the pathological skin. The aim of this work was to determine the influence of the hydrophilic component of polymeric NPs on the delivery of a lipophilic model drug (cholecalciferol).It was noticed that the polymeric hydrophilic composition of amphiphilic PLA-based NPs conditioned the NPs physico-chemical properties, notably in terms of size, surface properties, structure and drug protection. With regard to absorption into intact skin, the hydrophilic composition of 100 nm NPs had little impact. Only a slightly greater skin absorption was obtained from NPs with high hydrophilic PEG content compared to weakly PEGylated NPs. On the contrary in impaired skin, hydrophobic and negatively charged non-PEGylated NPs (PLA NPs) provided the best drug absorption. On the one hand, the dynamic structure of highly PEGylated NPs providing better skin wettability and potential skin lipids extraction may have contributed for increased absorption in intact skin. On the other hand, skin condition altered the NPs structure since it was observed that a non-negligible quantity of ionic species was released from impaired skin, triggering the destabilization of weakly or non-PEGylated charged NPs. However, only PLA aggregates sedimented/adhered onto the skin surface, which could have facilitated absorption in impaired skin. The polymeric hydrophilic composition of NPs and the pathological skin condition are therefore essential points to consider when designing nanoformulations

Visando o crescente interesse em pesquisa de novos materiais que utilizam polímeros biodegradáveis, este presente trabalho teve como objetivo a síntese de novos copolímeros através da reação de transesterificação no estado fundido entre poli(3-hidroxibutirato) (PHB), um polímero biodegradável, com poli(etileno glicol) (PEG). Sabe-se que um dos grandes problemas no uso do PHB é a sua elevada cristalinidade e instabilidade térmica, pois possui temperatura de fusão entre 170 e 180°C e apresenta degradação térmica a 190°C. A reação de transesterificação é uma alternativa para fazer a modificação química deste polímero, o que também viabiliza a formação de copolímeros anfifílicos triblocos. O objetivo final foi utilizar este novo material para o preparo de nanopartículas poliméricas a partir do método de difusão do solvente. Tais partículas são utilizadas para microencapsulamento de fármacos. Os copolímeros foram sintetizados e caracterizados por ensaio de solubilidade, espectrometria de ressonância magnética nuclear de hidrogênio (RMN), calorimetria diferencial exploratória (DSC), espectroscopia no infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR), cromatografia de permeação em gel (GPC), análise por difração de Raios-X (WAXS), microscopia ótica de luz polarizada (MOLP) e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). A indicação de formação de copolímero anfifílico pode ser observada nos ensaios de solubilidade, pois o copolímero mostrou-se parcialmente solúvel em uma série de solventes em que o PHB original é insolúvel. A modificação química pode ser observada com as técnicas de RMN e FTIR, cujos espectros apresentaram absorções referentes ao grupo carbonila da ligação éster. As técnicas de DSC, WAXS e MOLP mostraram uma ligeira redução na cristalinidade do material, além da temperatura de fusão reduzir-se de 171ºC para 154°C. Com o GPC observou-se uma redução da massa molar, o que facilita a formação das nanopartículas poliméricas. As nanopartículas apresentaram tamanhos com diâmetros ao redor de 250nm, quando observadas por MEV. / Aimed at the growing interest in research on new materials using biodegradable polymers, the present work was aimed at the synthesis of new copolymers through transesterification reaction in the molten state of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), a biodegradable polymer, poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG). It is well known that a major problem in the use of PHB is its high crystallinity and thermal instability, as it has melting temperature between 170 and 180° C and shows thermal degradation at 190°C. The transesterification reaction is an alternative to the chemical modification of this polymer, which also enables the formation of amphiphilic triblock copolymers. The mainly goal of this studies was to use this new material for the preparation of polymeric nanoparticles from the solvent diffusion method. Such particles are used for microencapsulation of drugs. The copolymers were synthesized and characterized by solubility test, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Hydrogen (NMR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Infrared Spectroscopy with Fourier transform (FTIR), Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis by X-ray diffraction (WAXS), polarized light optical microscopy (MOLP) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The signs of the formation of amphiphilic copolymer can be observed in the trials of solubility, since the copolymer was found to be partially soluble in a variety of solvents in the original PHB is insoluble. The chemical modification can be observed with the techniques of NMR and FTIR spectra which showed absorptions for the carbonyl group of the ester linkage. The techniques of DSC, WAXS and MOLP showed a decrease in crystallinity of the material in 15%, and reduce the melting temperature is 171ºC to 154°C. With the GPC showed a reduction in molar mass, which facilitates the formation of polymeric nanoparticles. The nanoparticles showed sizes with diameters around 250nm observed by SEM.

Dans ce travail de thèse, nous avons synthétisé des dérivés de poly(acide (R,S)-3,3-diméthylmalique) (PDMMLA). Les copolymères de PDMMLA sont composésprincipalement de deux monomères: un monomère hydrophobe contenant un groupementhexylique et un monomère hydrophile contenant un groupement acide. Grâce à la proportionde chaque monomère dans le copolymère final, la balance hydrophile/hydrophobe est ajustée.Donc six copolymères ont été obtenus: trois copolymères statistiques PDMMLAHn-co-Hex100-n et trois copolymères à blocs PDMMLAHn-b-Hex100-n. Ces copolymères sont àl’origine de nanoparticules sans et avec un principe actif. La Warfarine a été encapsulée à lafois avec des nanoparticules de PDMMLAHn-co-Hex100-n et de PDMMLAHn-b-Hex100-n.Les nanoparticules formées sont caractérisées afin d'en déterminer la forme, la taille et lacharge de surface. Donc des nanoparticules de forme sphérique, ayant une taille inférieure à100 nm et ayant une charge de surface inférieure à -30 mV ont été obtenues. Lesnanoparticules de PDMMLAH30-co-Hex70, ont été choisies pour étudier la libérationcontrôlée de la warfarine dans des conditions de température et de pH physiologiques. Lesrésultats obtenus montrent une libération lente et progressive de la warfarine à partir dessystèmes nanoparticulaires ainsi conçus et réalisés. De tels systèmes nanoparticulaires à basede dérivés amphiphiles du PDMMLA offriraient ainsi des outils d'intérêt pour l'encapsulationet la libération contrôlée de nombreux principes actifs hydrophobes tels que le dérivécoumarinique inhibiteur de la thrombine (DCBC) dont l'activité antithrombine en systèmepurifié est plus élevée que celle de l'argatroban. / In this work we synthesized derivatives of poly((R,S)-3,3-dimethylmalic acid) (PDMMLA).PDMMLA copolymers are mainly composed of two monomers: a hydrophobic monomercontaining a hydroxyl group and a hydrophilic monomer containing an acid group. Due to theproportion of each monomer in the final copolymer, the hydrophilic / hydrophobic balance ismodulated. Thus, six copolymers were obtained: three random copolymers PDMMLAHn-co-Hex100-n and three block copolymers: PDMMLAHn-b-Hex100-n.These copolymers are at the origin of nanoparticles without and with an active principle.Warfarin, which has been successfully encapsulated with both PDMMLAHn-co-Hex100-nand block, copolymer nanoparticles: PDMMLAHn-b-Hex100-n. The formed nanoparticlesshowed fairly high encapsulation efficiency for both types of copolymers.The PDMMLA nanoparticles are characterized in order to determine their shape, size andsurface charge. Thus nanoparticles of spherical shape, having less than 100 nm size andhaving a surface charge of less than -30 mV have been obtained. The PDMMLAH30-co-Hex70nanoparticles were chosen to study the controlled release of warfarin under physiologicaltemperature and pH conditions. Obtained results show a slow and progressive release ofwarfarin. Such nanoparticulate systems based on amphiphilic derivatives of PDMMLA wouldthus offer tools of interest for the encapsulation and controlled release of many hydrophobicactive principles such as the coumarin derivative thrombin inhibitor (DCBC) whoseantithrombin activity in purified system is higher than that of argatroban.

Nesta tese, estudamos a eletrossíntese de polímeros conjugados eletroluminescentes no azul. Filmes de poli(p-fenileno) (PPP), co-poli(p-fenileno-pirrol) (CPPI) e co-poli(p-fenileno-3-metiltiofeno) (CFMET) foram preparados por voltametria cíclica em eletrodos de vidro condutor (ITO) em uma solução não-aquosa de acetonitrila e perclorato de tetrabutilamônio contendo os monômeros e pares de co-monômeros a diferentes concentrações. Durante a síntese dos filmes de PPP, CPPI e CP3MET, a célula eletroquímica foi posicionada dentro de uma caixa seca contendo CaCl2 como agente secante e em atmosfera de N2(g) super-seco com o objetivo de reduzir a umidade do ar no meio de síntese. A baixa umidade do ar obtida durante as medidas permitiu o controle de parâmetros de crescimento dos filmes de PPP e de seus derivados (CPPI e CP3MET). A morfologia dos filmes foi correlacionada aos seus valores de espessura e de rugosidade obtidos por microscopia de força atômica (AFM). As propriedades ópticas dos filmes foram também investigadas por espectroscopia no UV-VSNIR em função do número de ciclos da varredura obtidos durante a eletrossíntese. As respostas eletroquímicas, dos filmes de FPP, CPPI e CP3MET foram obtidas por voltametria cíclica em uma solução livre de monômero. Estes filmes tiveram ainda a confirmação de suas estruturas químicas por meio de resultados obtidos por espectroscopia no infravermelho (FTIR) e por microespectroscopia e mapeamento Raman / This work describes the electrochemical synthesis of poly(p-phenylene) (PPP), p-phenylene-pyrrole copolynier (GPPIC) and p-phenylene-3methylthiophene copolymer (CP3MET). The main interest in studying these materials comes from its blue-electroluminescent properties, which make them suitable for application in electroluminescent devices. The polymerization was carried out using cyclic voltammetry in an acetonitrile non-aqueous medium containing tetrabutylammonium perchlorate and different concentration of each monomer. All the films were synthesized onto indium-tin-oxide covered glass (EO) electrodes. In order to enhance the film quality, electropolymerization was carried out within a glove box containing CaCl2, which was added as a drying agent, and under N2 atmosphere. The low amount humidity during the measurements allowed us to correlate the morphological, electrochemical and optical properties of the films of PPP and derivatives (CPPI and CP3MET). The optical properties of the films were investigated by UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy after varying the number of cyclos reached during the preparation of the films. The electrochemical response of the films was analyzed via cyclic voltammetry using a monomer-free electrolytic solution. The morphology of the films was correlated to their values of thickness and roughness as obtained by using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the structural characterization of PPP e their derivatives were obtained by micro-Raman spectroscopy and Raman mapping.

Protozoários do gênero Trypanosoma infectam milhões de pessoas todo ano e coletivamente contribuem muito para as misérias humanas, pois são causa de muitas das doenças negligenciadas tropicais. Várias vias metabólicas essenciais são encontradas nesses parasitas tornando-os particularmente atrativos para investigações moleculares. Mecanismos de controle pós-transcricional tem sido alvo de estudo por sua peculiaridade nesses organismos. Nesse cenário, proteínas da classe das poli-A-binding proteins (PABP) possuem função no início da tradução, turnover do mRNA e interação com o 5´-CAP. Nesse trabalho foi identificada a homóloga poli-A binding protein 1 (PABP1) de Trypanosoma brucei. O silenciamento do gene pabp1 revelou que a ausência da proteína é letal ao parasita, comprovando sua essencialidade nesse organismo. Da mesma maneira, na ausência da proteína observou-se erro no processamento do mRNA sugerindo possível função nos eventos de cis e trans splicing. Sua localização subcelular foi avaliada indicando localização citoplasmática, bem como o são suas homólogas. No citoplasma, a proteína apresenta-se em estrutura reticulada, co-localizada com proteínas de retículo endoplasmático. Porém, sob estresse induzido a proteína relocaliza para o compartimento nuclear, indicando ser uma proteína com trânsito núcleo-citoplasma ainda não demonstrada na literatura. As funções identificadas sugerem a existência de um sub-complexo a 3´ do mRNA que acopla poliadenilação e splicing. Além disso, a relocalização nuclear parece ocorrer em resposta a estímulo externo, sugerindo que a relocalização do mRNA para o núcleo pode ser uma estratégia da célula para modular sua resposta gênica frente a variações do ambiente. / Protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma infect millions of people every year and collectively contribute to the human misery by causing several neglected tropical diseases. Several intriguing molecular pathways are found in these parasites also, rendering them particularly attractive for biochemical investigation. This unique eukaryotic cells lack mechanisms to control gene expression at the transcriptional level, they mostly control protein synthesis by posttranscriptional regulation process. Several RNAs and proteins are involved in this process, including poly(A) binding proteins. The poly(A)- binding protein of eukaryotes plays a role in polyadenylation, translation initiation and metabolism of mRNA. In this work the poly(A) binding protein 1 (PABP1) was identified in Trypanosoma brucei. Depletion of TbPABP1 showed its essential role in the procyclic form of the parasite. Immunofluorescence assays showed localization in the cytosolic compartment despite of its functions in cis and trans splicing as shown by RNA analysis of cells free from PABP1. As it was shown in the homologs, PABP1 it´s not only a cytosolic protein but it shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Together with the literature, these results suggest an active complex in the 3´ end of the mRNA which works in synchrony with the splicing and capping machinery implying PABP1 as possible link between these processes.

Nous étudions la structure des solutions concentrées de polyélectrolytes (PE). Celle-ci n’a fait l’objet que de rares études expérimentales et aucun ordre d'orientation n'a jamais pu être observé dans les solutions de PE flexibles et semi-flexibles, bien que des travaux théoriques, basés sur l’approche d’Onsager, prévoient l'apparition d'une phase nématique aux fortes concentrations. Nous avons mesuré la position q* dans l'espace réciproque du pic présent dans la fonction de corrélation des solutions de PE fortement chargés obtenue par diffusion de rayonnement (DXPA et DNPA), et avons confronté sa variation avec la concentration c aux lois d'échelles théoriques q*~ca. Nous avons combiné des très fortes concentrations avec une haute résolution spatiale. La rigidité intrinsèque du PE est le paramètre clef de l’étude. En effet, le PSS, PE flexible, présente 3 régimes déjà connus : a=1/2 -régime semi-dilué- a=1/4 -régime concentré- un régime « ionomère » aux plus fortes concentrations pour lequel a=0. Le PDADMAC, PE semi-flexible, présente un comportement plus original puisque 4 régimes se succèdent : régimes semi-dilué et concentré avec a=1/2 et 1/4, puis deux régimes pour lesquels a=1 puis 1/2 qui sont totalement inédits. Le PaMSS, de rigidité intrinsèque intermédiaire, présente un comportement ambivalent, puisque les régimes semi-dilué et concentré précèdent un régime où a=1, puis un comportement « ionomère ». Nous introduisons un modèle simple permettant d'interpréter la succession des régimes a=1 puis 1/2 par l'apparition d'un ordre d'orientation. Nous discutons aussi les différences observées par DXPA et DNPA, et le rôle de la force ionique, variée par ajout de sel. / The structure of concentrated polyelectrolyte (PE) solutions is studied. There is a lack of experimental data on these systems. Specifically, no orientational order has ever been observed in solutions of flexible or semi-flexible PE, even though the existence of a nematic phase has been theoretically predicted at high concentration. We have measured the position q* in the reciprocal space of the peak that is present in the correlation function of aqueous solutions of highly charged PE, obtained by scattering measurements (SAXS and SANS). We combined high spatial resolution and a very wide concentration range to compare the variation of q* versus the concentration c, with the predicted scaling laws q*~ca. The intrinsic stiffness of PE is the key parameter of our study. Indeed, PSS, a flexible PE, exhibits 3 regimes already described: a=1/2 -semi-dilute regime- a=1/4 -concentrated regime- an “ionomeric” regime at extreme concentrations, for which a=0. PDADMAC is semi-flexible and exhibits a unique series of exponents involving 4 regimes: semi-dilute and concentrated regimes with a=1/2 and 1/4, followed by 2 regimes associated with a=1 and 1/2 respectively, which are new and unpredicted for PE solutions. PaMSS has an intermediate intrinsic stiffness, and exhibits hybrid behaviour. The semi-dilute and concentrated regimes are followed by an a=1 regime, and then an “ionomeric” regime for extreme concentrations. We introduce a simple model which explains the succession of the a=1 and 1/2 regimes as the appearance of an orientational order. We also discuss the differences between SAXS and SANS measurements, and the role played by the ionic strength, when salt is added.