”Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry Grigore Ghica Voda Alley No 41 A, Iasi, Romania Project No 254/ Code Project: PNII- RU-TE SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL HYDROGELS WITH DEFINED 3D CHARACTERISTICS AND BIODEGRADABILITY PRESENTATION FOR BIOAPPLICATIONS Project leader: LOREDANA ELENA NIŢĂ

ABSTRACT The proposed research is a technological approach on obtaining new hydrogels from functional polymeric materials and their use in nanoscale devices. Spontaneous assembly of macromolecular compounds in aqueous medium, extensive exemplified in nature by amphiphilic compounds, is the most promising technological bottom-up approach for obtaining functional materials to be used for encapsulation and controlled release of biologically active molecules in medicine, food and agro-chemistry industry, for adsorption and pre-concentration of toxic organic compounds and heavy metal ions in wastewater treatment and environmental monitoring, or as templates for nano-electronic devices. In this context, we intend to create selective surfaces and interfaces presented by a number of polymers and gels respectively, which will have new features and capabilities.

PURPOSE The project aims to develop new strategies for self assembled complex preparation based on polymers of natural and synthetic origin. The challenge is to have polymer matrix with intrinsic capability for gel formation, stimuli sensitive response, and functionality for coupling specific compounds. The new prepared and investigated systems will be constituted from supramolecular hydrogels formed as result of self-assembly process between a 3D chemically crosslinked macromolecular network structure and another polymeric compound which brings to system supplementary functional groups to improve the coupling capacity, and specific properties as for example biodegradability in specific environment. The project aims to develop new strategies for self assembled complex preparation based on polymers of natural and synthetic origin. The challenge is to have polymer matrix with intrinsic capability for gel formation, stimuli sensitive response, and functionality for coupling specific compounds. The new prepared and investigated systems will be constituted from supramolecular hydrogels formed as result of self-assembly process between a 3D chemically crosslinked macromolecular network structure and another polymeric compound which brings to system supplementary functional groups to improve the coupling capacity, and specific properties as for example biodegradability in specific environment.

Main Objective The main goal of the research project is to prepare novel hydrogels with defined 3D characteristics and biodegradability presentation for bioapplications. This activity will be carried out both from a fundamental as well applied standpoint, using a multidisciplinary approach.

Scientific and Technological Objectives The proposed scientific and technological objectives of this project follow a bottom-up approach involving: 3D polymeric matrix preparation, the fundamental understanding of the supramolecular self- assembly between 3D matrix and a biocompatible/biodegradable polymer, their characterisation in terms of structure vs function using common and advanced techniques, forming derivatives of self assembled structures with specific compounds (bioactive compounds for example) followed by their implementation as hybrid nanostructured materials, as well as their development towards specific applications. At the same time, during the project development will be established (a) the mechanisms for inducing self-assembling at the nanoscale at surfaces and interfaces to give new systems; (b) it will be created macroscale multifunctional interfaces with precise chemical properties, and (c) it will be developed the chemical and physical control for the responsive devices.

Estimative results Design vectors for 3D systems preparation; Preparation of 3D polymeric systems responsible to external stimuli and ability for gelation; Gels preparation on the basis of 3D polymeric systems; Design vectors for self-assembling (SA) systems; Gels preparation on the basis of interpenetrated polymer structures; Characterization of the new polymeric compounds to sustain the design and synthesis of the innovative SA supramolecular systems; Design vectors for hybrid systems preparation; Preparation of hybrid complexes to be used for biomedical applications; Characterization and testing of the prepared hybrid systems.

Phase 1/2015 Synthesis of novel multifunctional macromolecular systems. Preparation of a novel 3D polymeric structure - part 1 Preparation of a novel 3D polymeric structure - part 1

Phase 1/2015 Results: (1) Design vectors for 3D system preparation; (2) Preparation of 3D polymeric system responsible to external stimuli and ability for gelation – preliminary phase.

Phase 1/2015 Dissemination: L. E. Nita, A. P. Chiriac, E. Stoleru, A. Diaconu, N. Tudorachi, Tailorable Polyelectrolyte Protein Complex Based on Poly(aspartic acid) and Bovine Serum Albumin, submitted for evaluation