Publications by authors named "P Weingarten"
The monocarboxylic acid transporter 4 (Mct-4), a downstream biomarker of hypoxia inducing factor (HIF)-1α, is involved in the cellular response to hypoxia, as indicated by the hypoxic response element in its promoter region. Using a tumorsphere assay as an in vitro 3-dimensional (3D) model generated using 384-well ultra-low attachment (ULA) plates for cell proliferation analysis using a plate-based image cytometer, we identify a hypoxic response in the tumorsphere model that is distinct from that of cells grown under 2-dimensional (2D) normoxic conditions and demonstrate a key role for Mct-4 in enabling 3D growth. The tumorsphere model yields evidence of an essential role for Mct-4 in multiple cell lines, which were genetically modified to underexpress and overexpress Mct-4, evidence not apparent in a standard 2D model of growth in the same cell lines.
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- A new synthetic hydrogel was developed by cross-linking poly(vinylphosphonates) using controlled polymerization methods and photoinitiated thiol-ene click chemistry, allowing for precise adjustments in composition and properties.
- The resulting hydrogels showed increased mechanical strength with more specific monomer units, but reduced water absorption due to increased hydrophobicity; however, functionalization improved water uptake significantly.
- The final hydrogels demonstrated compatibility for cell growth, enabling adhesion of human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells and forming an endothelial layer without inducing inflammatory responses or losing antibacterial properties.
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- A new controlled polymerization method has been developed using activated acrylate monomers through ARGET-ATRP, utilizing a specific ligand to improve stability and functionality compared to traditional methods.
- This catalyst system can effectively polymerize different types of monomers, leading to controlled growth and uniformity in the resulting polymers.
- Two strategies for creating block copolymers have been introduced, yielding versatile amphiphilic copolymers that allow for tailored compositions and various modifications after polymerization.
A modular synthetic pathway for poly(diethyl vinylphosphonates) grafting-to gold nanoparticles is presented. Utilising an azide-dopamine derivative as nanoparticle coating agent, alkyne-azide click conditions were used to covalently tether the polymer to gold nanoparticles leading to stable and well distributed colloids for different applications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRNA interference (RNAi) is an efficient strategy to post-transcriptionally silence gene expression. While all siRNA drugs on the market target the liver, the lung offers a variety of currently undruggable targets, which can potentially be treated with RNA therapeutics. To achieve this goal, the synthesis of poly(spermine acrylamides) (P(SpAA) is reported herein.
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