Terpolymer-chitosan membranes as biomaterial.

The present study shows a novel copolymer synthesis, its application in the membrane design and the physicochemical and biological characterization of the biomaterial obtained. Terpolymer starting diisopropyl fumarate (F), vinyl benzoate (V) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (H) was prepared by thermal radical polymerization. This polymer (FVH) was obtained in several monomer ratios and characterized by spectroscopic and chromatographic methods (FTIR, H-NMR and SEC).

Nanobiocomposite based on natural polyelectrolytes for bone regeneration.

We developed a composite hydrogel based on chitosan and carboxymethyl cellulose with nanometric hydroxyapatite (nHA) as filler (ranging from 0.5 to 5%), by ultrasonic methodology to be used for bone regeneration. The 3D porous-structure of the biocomposite scaffolds were confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Microtomography analysis.

Dissecting the pathways coordinating patterning and growth by plant boundary domains.

Boundary domains play important roles during morphogenesis in plants and animals, but how they contribute to patterning and growth coordination in plants is not understood. The CUC genes determine the boundary domains in the aerial part of the plants and, in particular, they have a conserved role in regulating leaf complexity across Angiosperms. Here, we used tooth formation at the Arabidopsis leaf margin controlled by the CUC2 transcription factor to untangle intertwined events during boundary-controlled morphogenesis in plants.

Corrosion protection of AZ31 alloy and constrained bacterial adhesion mediated by a polymeric coating obtained from a phytocompound.

The prevention of microbial biofilm formation on a biomaterial surface is crucial in avoiding implants failures and the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria. It was reported that biodegradable Mg alloys may show antimicrobial effects due to the alkalinization of the corroding area. However, this issue is controversial and deserves a detailed study, since the processes occurring at the [biodegradable metal/biological medium] interface are complex and varied.