Biomolecular Interactions with Synthetic Surfaces.

Abstract

Augmenting the surface properties of synthetic materials can modulate biomolecular functions. In this dissertation research, the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) platform is used to generate reactive polymeric surfaces for various applications including sensing, “click” chemistry, and tissue engineering. For the first time, thin CVD films are used as novel sensors for imaging surface plasmon resonance enhanced ellipsometry (SPREE), a tool used in biosensing/diagnostics. CVD coatings are advantageous because they have better long-term stability and do not require special storage conditions. CVD-coated sensors are capable of detecting many biomolecules which may be tuned by altering film reactivity. Another area of this dissertation research is the use of a reactive CVD coating as a binding partner in thiol-based “click” chemistry reactions and a Diels Alder “click” reaction, types of immobilization strategies used to modify surfaces. Successful surface modification with thiols and maleimides is demonstrated and further exploited to create xxiii multifunctional surfaces, which may serve as building blocks for complex surface architectures. CVD coatings are beneficial as they extend the utility of thiol-based “click” chemistry reactions by increasing the number of binding substrates. In the final portion of the dissertation research, a polymeric brush was generated that undergoes a change in wettability (how water interacts with a surface) as a function of brush thickness. At low thicknesses, this brush is known to maintain human stem cells in a form that allows them to become any cell type. The use of a synthetic substrate to maintain this state is advantageous because material parameters can be tightly controlled. By altering wettability and other material characteristics, properties important for maintaining these cells are evaluated and may be utilized for future biomaterials designs. This dissertation research has made numerous contributions to the field of biomaterials science through the generation of a range of surface modification platforms that could ultimately aid in elucidating cellular and biomolecular behaviors, which have applications in diagnostics, molecular self-assembly, and tissue engineering/regenerative medicine.