No abstract

No abstract

We describe here favorable modulation of osteoblasts functions and cell–substrate interactions in hybrid silicone elastomers consisting of biocompatible graphene oxide. Pressure induced curing was used to synthesize the hybrid silicone elastomer with high strength–high elongation combination. It was intriguing that the cell–substrate interactions in the hybrid silicone elastomer were observed to be significantly different from those observed in stand alone silicone. The origin of differences in cell–substrate interactions in terms of cell attachment, viability, and proliferation and assessment of proteins actin, vinculin, and fibronectin are addressed and attributed to physico‐chemical properties (topography and hydrophilicity) and to the presence of graphene oxide. The end outcome of the study is a new family of nanostructured polymer composite with desired (enhanced cell functions) and bulk properties (long term stability—high strength‐at‐break). The integration of cellular and molecular biology with material science and engineering described here provides an insight into the ability to modulate cellular and molecular reactions in promoting osteoinductive signaling of surface adherent cells, in the present case, osteoblasts for joint reconstruction.

No abstract

We describe here the synthesis and antimicrobial activity of an innovative nanohybrid system, characterized by attachment of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to the thiol-functionalized polymer that was periodically crystallized on carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The synthesis of the nanohybrid architecture first involved direct crystallization of thiol-functionalized copolymer along the long axis of CNTs, followed by attachment of AgNPs to the thiol-group of functionalized copolymer. The antimicrobial activity was assessed in terms of interaction with Escherichia coli, where the constituents of the nanohybrid structure play a synergistic role. The antimicrobial activity was approximately four orders of magnitude greater than the ex situ precipitated bare AgNPs. Possible mechanisms underlying enhanced antimicrobial activity are discussed. The study underscores the potential of uniquely combining CNTs and biopolymers for biomedical applications, in the present case, antimicrobial activity. Fig. 7. Schematic illustration of release of silver ions from bare AgNPs and polymer-CNT/Ag hybrid structure and their antimicrobial behavior.