Zwitterionic-nanoparticle Dressing Targeting Inflammation and Reactive Oxygen Species in Diabetic Wounds

* Honorable Mention *

PROJECT NUMBER: 14

AUTHOR: Alexandra Raichart, Chemical and Biological Engineeringg | MENTOR: Melissa Krebs, Chemical and Biological Engineering

MENTOR: Matthew Osmond, Chemical and Biological Engineering | MENTOR: Michael Stager, Chemical and Biological Engineering

ABSTRACT

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Diabetic patients generate chronic wounds that, without sufficient medicine or treatment cannot heal over time. To treat these wounds a zwitterionic hydrogel was designed to provide a malleable, surface-covering bandage that could release biological factors to reduce chronic inflammation and improve healing. The hydro- gel would be a one time application as compared with current treatment methods that include a topical appli- cation that needs to be applied multiple times a day. To fabricate zwitterionic gels, we first developed a meth- od for synthesizing zwitterionic monomers, then determined the appropriate chemistry to use a biocompatible light initiator, and finally we have tested a variety of formulations. The concentrations of polymer to water and crosslinker are currently being tested to determine which concentrations create the most desirable mechanical properties. The gels were crosslinked using photoinitiation which has shown promising results, with the different concentrations of polymer to water and initiator showing a wide range of physical characteristics. These varying characteristics will make it easy to narrow down on the most desirable hydrogels that could serve as wound healing dressings.

VISUAL PRESENTATION

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AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

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Alexandra is a sophomore pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering with a biological track. She is a member of Dr.Kreb’s research lab in the Chemical and Biological Engineering department. She started working in the lab Summer of 2019 and her main project has been these Zwitterionic gels. She has done some work with cell culture and micropipetting techniques. Outside of the lab, she can be found training with the cross country and track team or trail running in the Mountains.

Sponsored by Phillips 66