Profile

Of particular importance with respect to the knowledge based development of biomaterials is the structure of the polymer surface, wich determines the interactions with the physiological enviroment. The research interest of the Department Interfaces (PBI) is therefore focussed on the development of functional polymers with novel surface properties for applications in the regenerative medicine. The main research topics in this department are:

Preparation and characterization of functional and stimuli sensitive inter- and surfaces for application in contact with biological systems;
Influence of degradation concerning the properties of polymers in particular changes of the surface properties of resorbable polymers and failure analysis of polymer explants.

The Department PBI is offering services in the area of characterisation for external partners besides these activities.

Projects

Modification of Interfaces

Besides the chemical composition, the topology of the polymer surface influences adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of the cells at the interface between biomaterial and surrounding tissue. The challenge is to adopt the topology at the micro- and nano level to tailor adhesion and differentiation of the different cell types.
Such defined structured surfaces are prepared by solvent casting techniques, hot embossing techniques and by electrospinning. Furthermore for preparation of model surfaces, spin coating and dip coating techniques are available. For the characterization of the surfaces, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning force microscopy (SFM), optical profilometry and digital microscopy are employed. Evaluation of the interface towards aqueous environments is performed by contact angle, SFM and streaming potential measurements.

An actual research topic is the investigation of the influence of sterilization conditions on the interface properties of polymeric biomaterials.

Micrographs (SEM, digital-microscopy, optical profilometry) of a micro patterned model surface obtained by solvent casting of poly [acrylnitrile-co-(N-vinylpyrrolidone)] PAN-co-NVP.

Resorbable Biomaterials

Comparison of hydrolytic and enzymatic monolayer degradation of poly-ε caprolactone (PCL)

Resorbable polymers are desired for medical applications as implants (e.g. suture) or drug delivery systems. The complex correlation between the changes of materials properties during degradation and the resulting biological consequences are not fully understood. Today no reliable models for the prediction of the degradation behaviour in vivo exist.
The degradation behaviour of resorbable polymers is studied in vitro by hydrolytic and enzymatic experiments using bulk samples as well as Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers. Furthermore failure analysis of polymer explants is performed.

For characterisation of degraded polymers microscopic methods (SEM, SFM, profilometry) as well as zeta potential and impedance spectroscopy are used. Additionally, gel permeation chromatography, wide angle X-ray spectroscopy as well as thermal and mechanical test methods (DSC, DMTA, tensile test) are employed.

Hauptnavigation

Profile

Projects

Modification of Interfaces

Resorbable Biomaterials

Events

BCRT

BSRT

AFPM 2012

Address