SSNANO

On/Off-Switchable Smart Nanobioreactors

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Nanobioreactor, a fascinating technology, is a latest combination of nanobiotechnology with advanced functional materials, are becoming promising tools for sensitive and selective novel biosensors. The aim of this research is to develop, synthesize and apply a new generation of stimuli-responsive switch-like nanobioreactors which own the self-switching textural ability to allow the specific recognition of target bioanalytes. The implementation of the project could generate important contributions to the development of stimuli-responsive advanced nano-materials for the various applications, such biocatalysts and nanobiosensors. To achieve the goals, a fundamental route to development of stimuli-responsive advanced materials is showed below: first, cationic polystyrene (PS) particles formed via emulsifier-free polymerization will be used as templates to prepare core-shell hybrid PS/SiO2 via the ammonia-catalyzed hydrolysis and condensation of (3-Mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane, Tetraethylorthosilicate and methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane. In the second step, cationic PS templates will be removed in toluene solution to form hollow silica particles. Subsequently, Au3 will be assembled into inner pore of hollow silica through Au-S interaction and then reduced into nanoclusters by sodium borohydride. Finally, N-isopropylacylamide and 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid will be alternately grafted onto the surface of hollow silica particles, in the presence of N,N’-methylenebisacrylamide, to form an interpenetrating polymer network. The resulting nanoreactors would be expected to demonstrate on/off switchable behavior upon the contact with external stimuli such as temperature.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

EU-funded scientists prepared complex architectures of nanoscale materials that change catalytic activity in response to temperature changes. They were showcased in a nanobioreactor acting as a glucose sensor.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Bioreactors are designed to carry out industrially relevant biological reactions on a large scale. Nanobioreactors are very small-scale bioreactors that can functionalise nanomaterials to enhance reactivity and performance. EU-funded scientists working on the project 'On/off-switchable smart nanobioreactors' (http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/research/research-activity/case-studies/onoffswitchable-smart-nanobioreactors.html (SSNANO)) took the concept one step further. Scientists worked on developing thermo-responsive smart nanobioreactors for catalysis that turn on and off in response to environmental cues.

A new class of stimuli-responsive nanomaterials was created, fabricated and incorporated into nanobioreactors. These reactors were characterised with numerous advanced microscopic and spectroscopic methodologies and prepared with simple and cost-effective processes. They turn on in response to an increase in temperature and switch off with temperature decrease unlike other negatively activated thermo-responsive nanobioreactors. This facilitated highly tunable catalytic activity and better control of the reactions.

Scientists applied the self-switchable nanobioreactors as an electrochemical glucose biosensor with great success, demonstrating improved response kinetics and characteristics. Switching was rapid, responses were stable and the reactors demonstrated a long shelf life. The resulting package should be of great interest for medical, chemical, biological or environmental applications.

SSNANO published the results in four well-respected peer-reviewed scientific journals and activities included establishment of http://www.thecams.org/en_index.php (The Chinese Advanced Materials Society) and http://www.iuam.org (The International Union of Advanced Materials) .

Smart nanobioreactors for catalysis with improved performance characteristics should open the door to numerous applications in fields ranging from medicine to security to the environment. Their simple and cost-effective production methods should also render them attractive for rapid commercialisation.