Cell membrane-derived nanomaterials for biomedical applications.

The continued evolution of biomedical nanotechnology has enabled clinicians to better detect, prevent, manage, and treat human disease. In order to further push the limits of nanoparticle performance and functionality, there has recently been a paradigm shift towards biomimetic design strategies. By taking inspiration from nature, the goal is to create next-generation nanoparticle platforms that can more effectively navigate and interact with the incredibly complex biological systems that exist within the body.

Hemostatic multilayer coatings.

Spray layer-by-layer assembly is used to create hemostatic films containing thrombin and tannic acid. The spray assembly technique enables coating of porous and absorbent commercial gelatin sponges with these films. Coated sponges are able to promote instantaneous hemostasis in a porcine spleen bleeding model.

Release of vancomycin from multilayer coated absorbent gelatin sponges.

Wounds have the potential to become infected during any surgical procedure. Gelatin sponges that are commonly used to absorb blood during invasive surgeries would benefit tremendously if they released antibiotics. In this work, we have examined coating a commercial gelatin sponge with degradable polymer multilayer films containing vancomycin.

Osteoconductive protamine-based polyelectrolyte multilayer functionalized surfaces.

The integration of orthopedic implants with host bone presents a major challenge in joint arthroplasty, spinal fusion and tumor reconstruction. The cellular microenvironment can be programmed via implant surface functionalization allowing direct modulation of osteoblast adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation at the implant--bone interface. The development of layer-by-layer assembled polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) architectures has greatly expanded our ability to fabricate intricate nanometer to micron scale thin film coatings that conform to complex implant geometries.

Tunable vancomycin releasing surfaces for biomedical applications.

Local drug delivery methods allow for the opportunity to supply potent multispectrum antibiotics such as vancomycin hydrochloride to sites of infection, while avoiding systemic toxicity. In this work, layer-by-layer assembly of polymer multilayer films is applied to create vancomycin delivery coatings. By taking advantage of the versatile layer-by-layer spray and dip coating techniques, thin films were generated based on electrostatic and other secondary interactions discovered to exist between the film components.