Electro‐Sorting Create Heterogeneity: Constructing A Multifunctional Janus Film with Integrated Compositional and Microstructural Gradients for Guided Bone Regeneration

Abstract

Biology remains the envy of flexible soft matter fabrication because it can satisfy multiple functional needs by organizing a small set of proteins and polysaccharides into hierarchical systems with controlled heterogeneity in composition and microstructure. Here, it is reported that controlled, mild electronic inputs (<10 V; <20 min) induce a homogeneous gelatin‐chitosan mixture to undergo sorting and bottom‐up self‐assembly into a Janus film with compositional gradient (i.e., from chitosan‐enriched layer to chitosan/gelatin‐contained layer) and tunable dense‐porous gradient microstructures (e.g., porosity, pore size, and ratio of dense to porous layers). This Janus film performs is shown multiple functions for guided bone regeneration: the integration of compositional and microstructural features confers flexible mechanics, asymmetric properties for interfacial wettability, molecular transport (directional growth factor release), and cellular responses (prevents fibroblast infiltration but promotes osteoblast growth and differentiation). Overall, this work demonstrates the versatility of electrofabrication for the customized manufacturing of functional gradient soft matter.

Non-fibril amyloid aggregation at the air/water interface: self-adaptive pathway resulting in a 2D Janus nanofilm

“…Compared to other bottom-up heterogeneous processes, this self-adaptive assembly strategy produces Janus nanofilms through the assembly of proteins at the heterogeneous interface (AWI), without the need for any external polymer substrate or energy inputs. 22,23 This strategy not only provides an opportunity for producing protein-based nanoscale Janus films but also holds promise for applications in various types of surface modification, separation, and wet adhesion. It particularly underscores the crucial role of interfaces in amyloid assembly and adhesion enhancement.…”