Biocompatible moieties

Nolan and coworkers reported the cytotoxicity of different neutral and cationic complexes. The first series of systems studied were Au-IPr derivatives bearing biocompatible moieties such as amino acids (L-proline or L-cysteine, Figure 7.16) [17]. In parallel, a second series of systems was selected, as it is well-known in the literature that cationic gold complexes can induce apoptosis of cancer cell lines. The IC50 were measured with LNCaP (prostate carcinoma) and MDA MB231 (breast carcinoma). 

CNTs can be functionalized with protein via non-covalent bond (Li et al., 2005 Kim et al., 2003 Mitchell et al., 2002). For example, (beta-lactamase I, that can be immobilized inside or outside CNTs, doesn t change enzyme s activity (Vinuesa and Goodnow, 2002). Taq enzyme can attach to the outside of CNT, and doesn t change its activity (Cui et al., 2004). Peptide with Histidine and Tryptophan can have selective affinity for CNT(Guo et al., 1998). Monoclonal antibody can attach to SWNTs. Protein-modified CNTs can be used to improve its biocompatibility and biomolecular recognition capabilities (Um et al., 2006). For example, CNTs functionalized with PEG and Triton X-100 can prevent nonspecific binding of protein and CNTs. Biotin moiety is attached to the PEG chains Streptavidin can bind specifically with biotin-CNT (Shim et al., 2002). 

Some of the commonly used techniques for measuring contact angle [215, 216, 217] are the sessile drop method, captive bubble method and Wilhelmy plate method. These techniques have been extensively used and well documented for characterisation of modified PE surfaces [218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230] for various applications. Whitesides et al. [231 ] studied the wetting of flame-treated polyethylene film having ionisable organic acids and bases at the polymer-water interface. The effect of the size of substituted alkyl groups in amide and ester moieties on the surface hydrophilicity was also studied [232]. The biocompatibility of the polyethylene film surface modified with various water-soluble polymers was evaluated using the same technique [233]. The surface properties of hy-perbranched polymers have been very recently reported [234]. 

While the composition and sequence of the amino acids have been known since 1983 (2,3), methods for increased-scale extraction were not developed until 1985. This scaled production has allowed for the development of single-part adhesive systems (Cell-Tak adhesive) for the immobilization of biologically active moieties to inert substrates. It has also permitted research on two-part adhesive formulations for the bonding of tissues. This paper specifically addresses the biocompatibility issue with descriptions of the immobilization of cells to Cell-Tak protein-coated plasticware, methods for wound closure, and preliminary toxicology data. 

Polymers containing sugar moieties, so-called gly-copolymers, have been attracting attention as biocompatible materials. Some of them have been obtained by the polymerization of FM-21321 and FM-2 2 322 with CuBr-based initiating systems. Their block copolymerizations with styrene are also feasible as described below (section III.C.l). 

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