Nanocoatings of inorganic surfaces by molecular biomimetic

Poster (2010, June 30)

A robust antibacterial coating for stainless steel

Conference (2010, March 23)

Because of corrosion, chemical resistance, relevant mechanical and esthetical properties, stainless steel is widely used in the daily life, not only in the building industry but also in the food industry ... [more ▼]

Because of corrosion, chemical resistance, relevant mechanical and esthetical properties, stainless steel is widely used in the daily life, not only in the building industry but also in the food industry, the appliances or in the medical field, including implants in orthopedic surgery. However, stainless steel is unable to prevent bacteria from adhering, proliferating and forming a resistant biofilm. Therefore, surface modification is needed for providing the metal surface with antibacterial properties. The scientific literature is very rich in describing various methods for imparting antibacterial properties to different inorganic supports. However, the activity of the coating is generally time limited by the diffusion of the biocide in the environment. Novel robust and stable antibacterial coatings on stainless steel are thus highly desirable for the durability of the functionality. In this communication, we report on an all-in-one approach to prepare robust antimicrobial films on stainless steel using the layer-by-layer deposition of polyelectrolytes. Novel biocidal multilayered polyelectrolyte films in which the polycationic layer is silver loaded and bears 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), known as a promoter of adhesion to inorganic surfaces, were deposited onto stainless steel. DOPA was incorporated in the polycationic chains by radical copolymerisation of N-methacrylated DOPA with the commercially available quaternary ammonium salt of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA+). Polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) was the polyanionic constituent of the films. In order to boost the antibacterial activity of the polycationic layer, AgNO3 was added to the aqueous solution of P(DOPA)-co-P(DMAEMA+), which resulted in the in-situ formation of silver based nanoparticles (Ag° and AgCl) that are sources of biocial Ag+. The layer-by-layer deposition of aqueous P(DOPA)-co-P(DMAEMA+)/AgCl/Ag0 suspension and aqueous solution of PSS provides stainless steel with high antibacterial activity against Gram-negative E. Coli bacteria. Moreover, after silver depletion, films retain some antimicrobial activity, thanks to the ammonium groups of the copolymer. We will also show how the antibacterial activity of the films can then be easily re-boosted. The multi-functionality of the P(DOPA)-co-P(DMAEMA+) is a key issue in this process (i) the DOPA co-units are anchored to stainless steel, (ii) these co-units reduce partly AgNO3 into Ag0 nanoparticles and stabilize them by chelation, (iii) the chloride counter-anions react with AgNO3 by ionic exchange, leading to the in situ formation of AgCl particles, and (iv) the ammonium groups are responsible for permanent antibacterial activity. Besides the advantage of the all-in-one process, another major advantage of the approach proposed here is the implementation of the whole process of film formation, including the synthesis of P(DOPA)-co-P(DMAEMA+), in aqueous media under very mild conditions. It makes the strategy very attractive for industrial scaling-up and sustainability applications. [less ▲]

Nanoscale biomimetic tool box for antimicrobial coating of inorganic surfaces

Poster (2010, March 18)

Inorganic-binding peptides as tools for surface quality control

in Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry (2010)

This paper highlights an innovative application of inorganic-binding peptides as quality control tools for detecting defects on inorganic surfaces of any shape. The approach involves attaching a ... [more ▼]

This paper highlights an innovative application of inorganic-binding peptides as quality control tools for detecting defects on inorganic surfaces of any shape. The approach involves attaching a fluorescent label to an inorganic-binding peptide and exploiting the peptide's high binding specificity to detect, by simple fluorescence microscopy, chemical composition defects of microm size and crystallographic state defects. Proof of concept was demonstrated by monitoring binding of a previously isolated ZnO-binding peptide to galvanized steel substrates. The approach was further validated for TiO(2) coatings and stainless steel, with two new, specific inorganic-binding peptides isolated by phage display. [less ▲]

Biomolecules in multilayer film for antimicrobial and easy-cleaning stainless steel surface applications

in Biofouling (2010), 26(6), 645-656

Microorganisms are able to attach to, grow on, and ultimately form biofilms on a large variety of surfaces, such as industrial equipment, food contact surfaces, medical implants, prostheses and operating ... [more ▼]

Microorganisms are able to attach to, grow on, and ultimately form biofilms on a large variety of surfaces, such as industrial equipment, food contact surfaces, medical implants, prostheses and operating rooms. Once organized into biofilms, bacteria are difficult to remove and kill, which increases the risk of cross-contamination and infection. One way to address the problem may thus be to develop antibacterial, anti-adhesion, ‘easy cleaning’ surfaces. In this study, stainless steel (SS) surfaces with antibacterial properties were created by embedding several antimicrobial peptides in a multilayer film architecture. The biocidal effect of these surfaces was demonstrated against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria according to two ISO tests. Also, coating SS surfaces with either mucin or heparin led to a reduction of <i>S. epidermidis</i> adhesion of almost 95% <i>vs</i> the bare substratum. Finally, by combining both antibacterial and anti-adhesion biomolecules in the same multilayer film, SS surfaces with better cleanability were produced. This surface coating property may help to delay the buildup of a dead bacterial layer which is known to progressively reduce exposure of the coating, leading to an undesirable decrease in the antibacterial effect of the surface. [less ▲]

Multifunctional coatings

Patent (2009)

New polyelectrolyte copolymer, composite material, multilayer film and substrate carrying such polyelectrolyte copolymer, composite and multilayer film wherein the polyelectrolyte copolymer comprises a) a ... [more ▼]

New polyelectrolyte copolymer, composite material, multilayer film and substrate carrying such polyelectrolyte copolymer, composite and multilayer film wherein the polyelectrolyte copolymer comprises a) a first type of identical or different units (A) each comprising one or more dihydroxyphenyl groups such that sidechains are present along the backbone of the polyelectrolyte copolymer which contain at least one dihydroxyphenyl group each; and (b1) a second type of identical or different units (B1) each comprising a cationic moiety, or (b2) a second type of identical or different units (B2) each comprising an anionic moiety. [less ▲]

Nanocoatings of inorganic surfaces by the layer by layer (LbL) technology

Poster (2009, April 02)

TIM crystals grown by capillary counterdiffusion: Statistical evidence of quality improvement in microgravity

in Crystal Growth & Design (2007), 7(11), 2161-2166

The capillary counterdiffusion method is a very efficient crystallization technique for obtaining high-quality protein crystals. This technique requires a convection-free environment, which can be ... [more ▼]

The capillary counterdiffusion method is a very efficient crystallization technique for obtaining high-quality protein crystals. This technique requires a convection-free environment, which can be achieved using either gelled solutions, very thin capillaries, or microgravity conditions. To study the influence of a convection-free environment on protein crystal quality and to evaluate two different experimental implementations to achieve it, we have made a comparative analysis of crystals grown by capillary counterdiffusion in agarose, a convective-free environment on Earth, and crystals grown in microgravity at the International Space Station. Thermotoga maritima triose phosphate isomerase (TIM) was chosen as a model for this study. The statistical analysis reveals a significant improvement for the crystals grown in microgravity in terms of their R-merge, B-value, and mosaicity, but the statistical evidence is insufficient to show a similar benefit for the resolution and mean intensity parameters. These results are quite surprising because it is known that, unlike gels, the noisy microgravity scenario offered by the ISS cannot sustain a convection-free environment on the time scale of days required for protein crystallization experiments. [less ▲]

Protein crystallisation under microgravity conditions: What did we learn on TIM crystallisation from the Soyuz missions?

in Microgravity Science and Technology (2007), XIX(5/6), 90-94

The protein Triose Phosphate Isomerase from the hyperthermophilic organism Thermotoga maritima was crystallised on board of the International Space Station in the framework of the Soyuz missions. In this ... [more ▼]

The protein Triose Phosphate Isomerase from the hyperthermophilic organism Thermotoga maritima was crystallised on board of the International Space Station in the framework of the Soyuz missions. In this paper we report on the scientific results obtained during these flights. Firstly it qas shown that different crystal forms for the same protein in the same crystallisation conditions, what is presumably due to a change in the rate at which supersaturation is achieved. Secondly, the X-ray qualité of the crystals grown in the ISS is superior to their ground control crystals. Mimicking microgravity on ground, by adding a small amourt of gel to avoid convection, also results in an improvement of X-ray quality. Nevertheless our analysis shows that the crystals obtained in this gelled ground environment are of inferior quality as compared to their space homologues. Finally we observed movement of crystals grown in the International Space Station, not only because of g-jitters but also due to residual accelerations. This has an important effect on concentration gradients of precipiants and therefore on the solubility of the protein. [less ▲]

Counterdiffusion protein crystallisation in microgravity and its observation with PromISS (Protein Microscope for the International Space Station)

in Microgravity Science and Technology (2006), XVIII

The crystallisation by counterdiffusion is a very efficient technique for obtaining high-quality protein crystals. A prerequisite for the use of counterdiffusion techniques is that mass transport must be ... [more ▼]

The crystallisation by counterdiffusion is a very efficient technique for obtaining high-quality protein crystals. A prerequisite for the use of counterdiffusion techniques is that mass transport must be controlled by diffusion alone. Sedimentation and convection can be avoided by either working in gelled systems, working in systems of small dimensions, or in the absence of gravity. We present the results from experiments performed on the ISS using the Protein Microscope for the International Space Station (PromISS), using digital holography to visualise crystal growth processes. We extensively characterised three model proteins for these experiments (cablys3*lysozyme, triose phosphate isomerase, and parvalbumin) and used these to assess the ISS as an environment for crystallisation by counterdiffusion. The possibility to visualise growth and movement of crystals in different types of experiments (capillary counterdiffusion and batch-type) is important, as movement of crystals is clearly not negligible. [less ▲]