Biomedical subjects

Richard T Haasch

Publications and source records attributed to Richard T Haasch.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Osteoblast-like cell attachment to and calcification of novel phosphonate-containing polymeric substrates.

In an attempt to interact natural bone and bone cells with biomaterials and to begin to develop modular tissue engineering scaffolds, substrates containing phosphonate groups were identified to mimic mineral-protein and natural polymer-protein interactions. In this study, we investigated poly(vinyl phosphonic acid) copolymer integration with existing materials as a graft-copolymer surface modification. Phosphonate-containing copolymer-modified surfaces were created and shown to have varying phosphate content within different polymeric surfaces. As the phosphonate content in the monomer feed approached 30% vinyl phosphonic acid, increased osteoblast-like cell adhesion (3- to 8-fold increase in adhesion) and proliferation (2- to 10-fold increase in proliferation rate) was observed. Since surfaces modified with 30% vinyl phosphonic acid in the feed exhibited a maximal cell adhesion and proliferation (9.4 x 10(4) cells/cm(2)/day), it was hypothesized that this copolymer composition was optimal for protein-polymer interactions. Osteoblast-like cells formed confluent layers and were able to differentiate on all surfaces that contained vinyl phosphonic acid. Most importantly, cells interacting with these surfaces were able to significantly mineralize the surface. These results suggest that phosphonate-containing polymers can be used to integrate biomaterials with natural bone and could be used for tissue engineering applications.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2005

Light-regulated electrostatic interactions in colloidal suspensions.

The net charge of a colloidal particle was controlled using light and a new photocleavable self-assembled monolayer (SAM). The SAM contained a terminal ammonium group and a centrally located carboxylic acid group that was masked with an ortho-nitrobenzyl functionality. Once exposed to UV light, the 2-nitrobenzyl group was cleaved, therefore transforming the colloidal particle from a net positive (silica-SAM-NH3+) to a net negative (silica-SAM-COO-) charge. By varying the UV exposure time, their zeta potential could be tailored between +26 and -60 mV at neutral pH. To demonstrate a photoinduced gel-to-fluid phase transition, a binary colloidal suspension composed of silica-SAM-NH3+ and negatively charged, rhodamine-labeled silica particles was mixed to form a gel. Exposure to UV light rendered all of the particles negative and therefore converted the system into a colloidal fluid that settles to form a dense sediment.

Colloids↗

PubMed2005

Anisotropic hydrogel thickness gradient films derivatized to yield three-dimensional composite materials.

We report the preparation of in-plane density gradients of amino-terminated molecules and gold particles through derivatization of laterally varying thickness gradients of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) or poly(acrylamide) (PAAm) films. PAA and PAAm gradients were formed by Zn(II)-catalyzed electropolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) or acrylamide (AAm) in the presence of an in-plane electrochemical potential gradient applied to Au or indium-tin-oxide (ITO) working electrodes. PAA thickness gradients were converted into density gradients of fluorocarbons or biocompatible groups by derivatizing with NH(2)CH(2)(CF(2))(6)CF(3) or an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-containing peptide, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and XPS imaging were used to characterize the modified PAA gradients. Transition regions as narrow as 104 mum were achieved for fluorocarbon gradients. PAAm gradients were treated with gold particles to form a density gradient of gold particles. Surface plasmon resonance imaging and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as UV-visible absorption measurements were used to characterize the gold particle density gradients. It is likely that the gold particles were attached both on the surface and inside the PAAm film.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Mesoporous membrane device for asymmetric biosensing.

An array of micron size reactors has been designed and fabricated on a mesoporous membrane to create a platform for asymmetric biochemical sensing. Fabrication of this device required that a technique be developed to integrate the mesoporous alumina membrane with a polymeric layer that maintains the integrity of the membrane surface and permeability. This device was used to control an enzyme reaction at the surface of the membrane through the diffusion of the substrates from the opposite sides of the membrane. Asymmetric reactions promise new modes of sensing, enhanced stability of delicate biomolecular systems, and enhanced sensitivity and speed in sensing.

Aluminum Oxide↗

PubMed2004

Solvent-induced self-assembly of mixed poly(methyl methacrylate)/polystyrene brushes on planar silica substrates: molecular weight effect.

The effect of molecular weight on the solvent-induced self-assembly of mixed poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/polystyrene (PS) brushes on silicon wafers was studied. For a series of mixed brushes with a fixed PMMA M(n) and systematically changed PS M(n), a transition in water advancing contact angle (theta(a)) from 74 degrees, the value for a flat PMMA surface, to 91 degrees, the value for a flat PS film, was observed with increasing PS M(n) after treatment with CHCl(3). Atomic force microscopy studies showed smooth surfaces for all samples. While no significant changes in surface morphologies were observed after treatment with cyclohexane, a selective solvent for PS, contact angle and XPS studies indicated that the mixed brushes with a PS M(n) slightly smaller than that of PMMA underwent self-reorganization, exhibiting a different theta(a). Intriguing surface morphologies composed of relatively ordered nanoscale domains were found from mixed brushes with PS M(n) slightly smaller than or similar to that of PMMA after treatment with acetic acid, a selective solvent for PMMA. The nanodomains are speculated to be of a micellar structure, with PS chains forming a core shielded by PMMA chains.

Journal Article↗