Carlos Azucena

Fabrication of highly uniform gel coatings by the conversion of surface-anchored metal-organic frameworks

We report the fabrication of 3D, highly porous, covalently bound polymer films of homogeneous thickness. These surface-bound gels combine the advantages of metal-organic framework (MOF) materials, namely, the enormous flexibility and the large size of the maximum pore structures and, in particular, the possibility to grow them epitaxially on modified substrates, with those of covalently connected gel materials, namely, the absence of metal ions in the deposited material, a robust framework consisting of covalent bonds, and, most importantly, pronounced stability under biological conditions. The conversion of a SURMOF (surface-mounted MOF) yields a surface-grafted gel. These SURGELs can be loaded with bioactive compounds and applied as bioactive coatings and provide a drug-release platform in in vitro cell culture studies.

Inducible site-selective bottom-up assembly of virus-derived nanotube arrays on RNA-equipped wafers.

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is a tube-shaped, exceptionally stable plant virus, which is among the biomolecule complexes offering most promising perspectives for nanotechnology applications. Every viral nanotube self-assembles from a single RNA strand and numerous identical coat protein (CP) subunits. Here we demonstrate that biotechnologically engineered RNA species containing the TMV origin of assembly can be selectively attached to solid surfaces via one end and govern the bottom-up growth of surface-linked TMV-like nanotubes in situ on demand. SiO(2) wafers patterned by polymer blend lithography were modified in a chemically selective manner, which allowed positioning of in vitro produced RNA scaffolds into predefined patches on the 100-500 nm scale. The RNA operated as guiding strands for the self-assembly of spatially ordered nanotube 3D arrays on the micrometer scale. This novel approach may promote technically applicable production routes toward a controlled integration of multivalent biotemplates into miniaturized devices to functionalize poorly accessible components prior to use. Furthermore, the results mark a milestone in the experimental verification of viral nucleoprotein complex self-assembly mechanisms.

Oriented Circular Dichroism Analysis of Chiral Surface‐Anchored Metal–Organic Frameworks Grown by Liquid‐Phase Epitaxy and upon Loading with Chiral Guest Compounds

Oriented circular dichroism (OCD) is explored and successfully applied to investigate chiral surface-anchored metal-organic frameworks (SURMOFs) based on camphoric acid (D- and Lcam) with the composition [Cu2(Dcam)(2x)(Lcam)(2-2x)(dabco)]n (dabco = 1,4-diazabicyclo-[2.2.2]-octane). The three-dimensional chiral SURMOFs with high-quality orientation were grown on quartz glass plates by using a layer-by-layer liquid-phase epitaxy method. The growth orientation, as determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), could be switched between the [001] and [110] direction by using either OH- or COOH-terminated substrates. These SURMOFs were characterized by using OCD, which confirmed the ratio as well as the orientation of the enantiomeric linker molecules. Theoretical computations demonstrate that the OCD band intensities of the enantiopure [Cu2(Dcam)2(dabco)]n grown in different orientations are a direct result of the anisotropic nature of the chiral SURMOFs. Finally, the enantiopure [Cu2(Dcam)2(dabco)]n and [Cu2(Lcam)2(dabco)]n SURMOFs were loaded with the two chiral forms of ethyl lactate [(+)-ethyl-D-lactate and (-)-ethyl-L-lactate)]. An enantioselective enrichment of >60 % was observed by OCD when the chiral host scaffold was loaded from the racemic mixture.

New Approaches for Bottom-Up Assembly of Tobacco Mosaic Virus- Derived Nucleoprotein Tubes on Defined Patterns on Silica- and Polymer-Based Substrates

The capability of some natural molecular building blocks to self-organize into defined supramolecular architectures is a versatile tool for nanotechnological applications. Their site-selective integration into a technical context, however, still poses a major challenge. RNA-directed self-assembly of tobacco mosaic virus-derived coat protein on immobilized RNA scaffolds presents a possibility to grow nucleoprotein nanotubes in place. Two new methods for their site-selective, bottom-up assembly are introduced. For this purpose, isothiocyanate alkoxysilane was used to activate oxidic surfaces for the covalent immobilization of DNA oligomers, which served as linkers for assembly-directing RNA. Patterned silanization of surfaces was achieved (1) on oxidic surfaces via dip-pen nanolithography and (2) on polymer surfaces (poly(dimethylsiloxane)) via selective oxidization by UV-light irradiation in air. Atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the surfaces. It is shown for the first time that the combination of the mentioned structuring methods and the isothiocyanate-based chemistry is appropriate (1) for the site-selective immobilization of nucleic acids and, thus, (2) for the formation of viral nanoparticles by bottom-up self-assembly after adding the corresponding coat proteins.

Modified TMV Particles as Beneficial Scaffolds to Present Sensor Enzymes

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is a robust nanotubular nucleoprotein scaffold increasingly employed for the high density presentation of functional molecules such as peptides, fluorescent dyes, and antibodies. We report on its use as advantageous carrier for sensor enzymes. A TMV mutant with a cysteine residue exposed on every coat protein (CP) subunit (TMVCys) enabled the coupling of bifunctional maleimide-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-biotin linkers (TMVCys/Bio). Its surface was equipped with two streptavidin [SA]-conjugated enzymes: glucose oxidase ([SA]-GOx) and horseradish peroxidase ([SA]-HRP). At least 50% of the CPs were decorated with a linker molecule, and all thereof with active enzymes. Upon use as adapter scaffolds in conventional “high-binding” microtiter plates, TMV sticks allowed the immobilization of up to 45-fold higher catalytic activities than control samples with the same input of enzymes. Moreover, they increased storage stability and reusability in relation to enzymes applied directly to microtiter plate wells. The functionalized TMV adsorbed to solid supports showed a homogeneous distribution of the conjugated enzymes and structural integrity of the nanorods upon transmission electron and atomic force microscopy. The high surface-increase and steric accessibility of the viral scaffolds in combination with the biochemical environment provided by the plant viral coat may explain the beneficial effects. TMV can, thus, serve as a favorable multivalent nanoscale platform for the ordered presentation of bioactive proteins.

Surface anchored metal-organic frameworks as stimulus responsive antifouling coatings

Surface-anchored, crystalline and oriented metal organic frameworks (SURMOFs) have huge potential for biological applications due to their well-defined and highly-porous structure. In this work we describe a MOF-based, fully autonomous system, which combines sensing, a specific response, and the release of an antimicrobial agent. The Cu-containing SURMOF, Cu-SURMOF 2, is stable in artificial seawater and shows stimulus-responsive anti-fouling properties against marine bacteria. When Cobetia marina adheres on the SURMOF, the framework’s response is lethal to the adhering microorganism. A thorough analysis reveals that this response is induced by agents secreted from the microbes after adhesion to the substrate, and includes a release of Cu ions resulting from a degradation of the SURMOF. The stimulus-responsive antifouling effect of Cu-SURMOF 2 demonstrates the first application of Cu-SURMOF 2 as autonomous system with great potential for further microbiological and cell culture applications.

Interaction of human plasma proteins with thin gelatin-based hydrogel films: a QCM-D and ToF-SIMS study.

In the fields of surgery and regenerative medicine, it is crucial to understand the interactions of proteins with the biomaterials used as implants. Protein adsorption directly influences cell-material interactions in vivo and, as a result, regulates, for example, cell adhesion on the surface of the implant. Therefore, the development of suitable analytical techniques together with well-defined model systems allowing for the detection, characterization, and quantification of protein adsorbates is essential. In this study, a protocol for the deposition of highly stable, thin gelatin-based films on various substrates has been developed. The hydrogel films were characterized morphologically and chemically. Due to the obtained low thickness of the hydrogel layer, this setup allowed for a quantitative study on the interaction of human proteins (albumin and fibrinogen) with the hydrogel by Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation Monitoring (QCM-D). This technique enables the determination of adsorbant mass and changes in the shear modulus of the hydrogel layer upon adsorption of human proteins. Furthermore, Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry and principal component analysis was applied to monitor the changed composition of the topmost adsorbate layer. This approach opens interesting perspectives for a sensitive screening of viscoelastic biomaterials that could be used for regenerative medicine.

Free-standing nanomembranes based on selective CVD deposition of functional poly-p-xylylenes

The precise engineering of ultrathin nanofilms with variable functionality remains an unmet challenge in nanotechnology. We report a strategy for generating free-standing nanomembranes based on the selective chemical vapor deposition polymerization of functional [2.2]paracyclophanes on micropatterned self-assembled monolayers of alkanethiolates on gold. This fabrication strategy can yield microstructured nanofilms that are between 2 and 5 nm thick. Subsequent release from the substrate results in free-standing nanoscale membranes with controlled pore size and geometry. The process allows for modification of important functional parameters, such as ultrasmall membrane thickness, membrane pore geometry, and chemical functionality.

Leukocyte responses to immobilized patterns of CXCL8

The attachment of neutrophils to the endothelial surface and their migration towards the site of inflammation following chemokine gradients play an essential role in the innate immune response. Chemokines adhere to glycosaminoglycans on the endothelial surface to be detected by leukocytes and trigger their movement along surface- bound gradients in a process called haptotaxis. In assays to systematically study the response of leukocytes to surface-bound compounds both the spatial arrangement of the compound as well as the mode of immobilization need to be controlled. In this study microcontact printing was employed to create patterns of hydrophobic or functionalized thiols on gold-coated glass slides and CXCL8 was immobilized on the thiol coated areas using three different strategies. Human neutrophils adhered to the CXCL8-coated lines but not to the PEG-coated background. We could show that more cells adhered to CXCL8 adsorbed to hydrophobic octadecanethiol than on CXCL8 covalently bound to amino undecanethiol or CXCL8 specifically bound to immobilized heparin on aminothiol. Likewise general cell activity such as lamellipodia formation and random migration were most pronounced for CXCL8 adsorbed on a hydrophobic surface which may be attributed to the larger amounts of protein immobilized on this type of surface.