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Polymers in Biological Systems
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Polymers in Biological Systems

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 November 2024) | Viewed by 7559

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Anton P. Bonartsev

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Biology, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
Interests: bacterial polymers; copolymers; composites; polyhydroxyalkanoates; alginates; biosynthesis; biodegradation; tissue engineering; biocompatibility; regeneration; microbiota
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymers of natural origin, which are synthesized by bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals, may not necessarily be proteins and nucleic acids. The natural properties of biopolymers are closely connected with their natural functions in alive cells and tissues, such as protection, energy storage, those of a mechanical nature, etc. Some chemically synthesized polymers show biomimetic physicochemical properties of natural polymers and therefore exhibit similar bioactivity in natural and artificial biological systems of different levels, such as macromolecular complexes (i.e., genetic constructions), cell membranes and organelles, cells, cell cultures, tissues, organs, microbial communities, and populations of multicellular organisms. These natural and synthetic polymers have great prospects for biomedical applications due to their unique biomedical properties: biocompatibility, biodegradability, biological activity due to specific receptor affinity, hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity ratio, permeability to solutes and gases, biomechanical properties, blending capacity, thermoplasticity, gelation, mechanical properties, chemical reactivity, ability in chemical functionalization, electroconductivity, piezoelectric properties, antioxidant activity, etc., which can be associated with their natural functions or biomimetic properties. This open access Special Issue will highlight the very urgent problem of the natural–biomedical properties relationship for different polymers. Therefore, the scope of the Special Issue is to summarize original research and review articles that address the progress in and current standing of the natural functions as well as biomedical properties of polymers in biological systems.

Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Biodegradation of polymers in cell cultures, tissues, and microbial communities;
  • Biocompatibility of polymers for macromolecular complexes and prokaryotic as well as eukaryotic cells;
  • The role of polymers’ mechanical properties in cells, tissues, and organs;
  • The use of electroconductive and piezoelectric polymers in cells, cell cultures, microbial communities, tissues, and organs.

Dr. Anton P. Bonartsev
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • natural polymers
  • biomimetic properties
  • biocompatibility
  • biodegradability
  • mechanical properties
  • cells
  • cell cultures
  • tissues
  • organs
  • microbial communities

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 4878 KiB  
Article
Efficient mRNA Delivery In Vitro and In Vivo Using a Polycharged Biodegradable Nanomaterial
by Xuejin Yang, Jingya Xiao, Daryl Staveness and Xiaoyu Zang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(24), 13620; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252413620 - 19 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1136
Abstract
As RNA rises as one of the most significant modalities for clinical applications and life science research, efficient tools for delivering and integrating RNA molecules into biological systems become essential. Herein, we report a formulation using a polycharged biodegradable nano-carrier, N1-501, which demonstrates [...] Read more.
As RNA rises as one of the most significant modalities for clinical applications and life science research, efficient tools for delivering and integrating RNA molecules into biological systems become essential. Herein, we report a formulation using a polycharged biodegradable nano-carrier, N1-501, which demonstrates superior efficiency and versatility in mRNA encapsulation and delivery in both cell and animal models. N1-501 is a polymeric material designed to function through a facile one-step formulation process suitable for various research settings. Its capability for mRNA transfection is investigated across a wide range of mRNA doses and in different biological models, including 18 tested cell lines and mouse models. This study also comprehensively analyzes N1-501’s application for mRNA transfection by examining factors such as buffer composition and pH, incubation condition, and media type. Additionally, N1-501’s superior in vivo mRNA transfection capability ensures its potential as an efficient and consistent tool for advancing mRNA-based therapies and genetic research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers in Biological Systems)
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21 pages, 9151 KiB  
Article
A Color Indicator Based on 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) and a Biodegradable Poly(ester amide) for Detecting Bacterial Contamination
by María José Lovato, María del Carmen De Lama-Odría, Jordi Puiggalí, Luis J. del Valle and Lourdes Franco
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(12), 6671; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25126671 - 18 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1401
Abstract
Bacterial contamination is a hazard in many industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. The availability of a rapid and simple method for detecting this type of contamination in sterile areas enables immediate intervention to avoid or reduce detrimental effects. Among these methods, colorimetric [...] Read more.
Bacterial contamination is a hazard in many industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. The availability of a rapid and simple method for detecting this type of contamination in sterile areas enables immediate intervention to avoid or reduce detrimental effects. Among these methods, colorimetric indicators are becoming increasingly popular due to their affordability, ease of use, and quick visual interpretation of the signal. In this article, a bacterial contamination indicator system was designed by incorporating MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) into an electrospun PADAS matrix, which is a biodegradable poly(ester amide) synthesized from L-alanine, 1,12-dodecanediol, and sebacic acid. Uniaxial stress testing, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine the mechanical properties, thermal stability, and morphology of the mats, respectively. The capacity for bacterial detection was not only analyzed with agar and broth assays but also by replicating important environmental conditions. Among the MTT concentrations tested in this study (0.2%, 2%, and 5%), it was found that only with a 2% MTT content the designed system produced a color response visible to the naked eye with optimal intensity, a sensitivity limit of 104 CFU/mL, and 86% cell viability, which showed the great potential for its use to detect bacterial contamination. In summary, by means of the process described in this work, it was possible to obtain a simple, low-cost and fast-response bacterial contamination indicator that can be used in mask filters, air filters, or protective clothing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers in Biological Systems)
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23 pages, 3443 KiB  
Article
Adhesion of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus fermentum to Films and Electrospun Fibrous Scaffolds from Composites of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) with Magnetic Nanoparticles in a Low-Frequency Magnetic Field
by Vera V. Voinova, Vsevolod A. Zhuikov, Yulia V. Zhuikova, Anastasia A. Sorokina, Tatiana K. Makhina, Garina A. Bonartseva, Evgeniia Yu. Parshina, Muhammad Asif Hossain, Konstantin V. Shaitan, Artyom S. Pryadko, Roman V. Chernozem, Yulia R. Mukhortova, Lada E. Shlapakova, Roman A. Surmenev, Maria A. Surmeneva and Anton P. Bonartsev
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(1), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25010208 - 22 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2103
Abstract
The ability of materials to adhere bacteria on their surface is one of the most important aspects of their development and application in bioengineering. In this work, the effect of the properties of films and electrospun scaffolds made of composite materials based on [...] Read more.
The ability of materials to adhere bacteria on their surface is one of the most important aspects of their development and application in bioengineering. In this work, the effect of the properties of films and electrospun scaffolds made of composite materials based on biosynthetic poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) with the addition of magnetite nanoparticles (MNP) and their complex with graphene oxide (MNP/GO) on the adhesion of E. coli and L. fermentum under the influence of a low-frequency magnetic field and without it was investigated. The physicochemical properties (crystallinity; surface hydrophilicity) of the materials were investigated by X-ray structural analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and “drop deposition” methods, and their surface topography was studied by scanning electron and atomic force microscopy. Crystal violet staining made it possible to reveal differences in the surface charge value and to study the adhesion of bacteria to it. It was shown that the differences in physicochemical properties of materials and the manifestation of magnetoactive properties of materials have a multidirectional effect on the adhesion of model microorganisms. Compared to pure PHB, the adhesion of E. coli to PHB-MNP/GO, and for L. fermentum to both composite materials, was higher. In the magnetic field, the adhesion of E. coli increased markedly compared to PHB-MNP/GO, whereas the effect on the adhesion of L. fermentum was reversed and was only evident in samples with PHB-MNP. Thus, the resultant factors enhancing and impairing the substrate binding of Gram-negative E. coli and Gram-positive L. fermentum turned out to be multidirectional, as they probably have different sensitivity to them. The results obtained will allow for the development of materials with externally controlled adhesion of bacteria to them for biotechnology and medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers in Biological Systems)
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13 pages, 2453 KiB  
Article
The Wound-Healing Activity of PEDOT-PSS in Animals
by Yun-Lung Chung, Pei-Yu Chou and Ming-Jyh Sheu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(16), 12539; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241612539 - 8 Aug 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2021
Abstract
This study evaluated the wound-healing activity of a polymer, Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly-(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS), and determined its mechanism based on angiogenic activity in a full-thickness excision wound model in Spraque Dawley (SD) rats. Administering PEDOT: PSS (1.6) 1.5 ppm at a dose of 50 [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the wound-healing activity of a polymer, Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly-(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS), and determined its mechanism based on angiogenic activity in a full-thickness excision wound model in Spraque Dawley (SD) rats. Administering PEDOT: PSS (1.6) 1.5 ppm at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day significantly improved wound healing in the SD rats on the eleventh day after the incision was created. PEDOT: PSS-treated animals presented no anti-inflammatory skin effects; however, there was an increase in angiogenic behavior. VEGF was found to be significantly elevated in the PEDOT: PSS-treated groups seven days post-incision. However, only a higher concentration of PEDOT: PSS increased TGF-β1 expression within the same time frame. Our results showed that PEDOT: PSS enhances wound healing activity, mainly in terms of its angiogenic effects. In this paper, we describe the highly conductive macromolecular material PEDOT: PSS, which demonstrated accelerated wound-healing activity in the animal incision model. The results will further provide information regarding the application of PEDOT: PSS as a dressing for medical use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers in Biological Systems)
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