Developing a Novel Succinct Synthetic Approach to the Modification of Alginate for Use in Biomedical Applications

Date of Award

4-24-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Chemistry

First Reader

Dr. Sharon Hamilton

Second Reader

Dr. Ruth Plymale

Third Reader

Professor Hallie Wallace

Abstract

Alginate, a natural polymer, can also be electrospun to produce materials for wound healing. The innate groups in alginate lend themselves towards modification to produce a biomimetic and degradable polymer that can be electrospun. Using a new concerted synthesis for the modification of alginate allows for the attachment of four functional groups via amide coupling and can be facilely conducted in an undergraduate research laboratory. This product can be oxidized to enhance alginate degradability. The modified alginate was co-spun with PVA to create nanofibrous scaffolding. The physical properties of these materials were characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Cellular responses to these alginate-based fiber mats were examined including cell viability and proliferation. Ongoing nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis will compare the efficiency of functional group attachments of this synthetic approach as compared to a traditional stepwise modification of this polymer. Future studies include analyzing antimicrobial properties and in vivo assays.

Comments

This thesis is currently embargoed. It will be released May 2029.

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