In situ gellable poly(aspartic acid) derivatives

Supervisor: Aysel Mammadova, Benjámin Gyarmati

Poly(aspartic acid ) derivatives with various functional groups are synthesized and their chemical, mechanical, rheological and adhesive properties are studied. Techniques: preparation of polymers in solution, 1H NMR, Ellman’s assay, rheological measurements, mechanical tests.

Detailed description

Poly (aspartic acid) as a water-soluble poly(amino acid) has attracted considerable attention in industrial (anti-scaling agents, dispersants, surfactants, growth enhancers etc.) and biomedical applications (drug delivery, tissue engineering etc.) owing to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. Thiolated derivatives of poly(aspartic acid) can be considered as promising candidates for drug and gene delivery, bioadhesive formulations and other biomedical applications where in situ, oxidation induced gelation and reduction sensitive stability are beneficial. The stability and physico-chemical properties of thiolated derivatives can be controlled by adding different side groups to polymer chain. Accordingly, the present research will cover the synthesis of polysuccinimide by solvent free thermal polycondensation of aspartic acid, its thiolation and immobilizing neutral, cationic and anionic side groups onto polymers chain. The chemical structure will be characterised by NMR, Ellman’s assay will be performed to determine thiol content, gelation process and stability of gels will be examined by the rheological measuremens. Adhesive properties will be studied by tensile tests.

Issues, questions to be solved:
- The effect of different functional groups on rheological properties
- Adhesive properties of in situ gellable polymers

Students
- Saeid Ghanbari

Number of new students: 1