Multifunctional Compartmentalized Capsules with a Hierarchical Organization from the Nano to the Macro Scales

last updated: 2013-07-16
TitleMultifunctional Compartmentalized Capsules with a Hierarchical Organization from the Nano to the Macro Scales
Publication TypePapers in Scientific Journals
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsCosta R. R., Castro-Otero E., Arias F. J., Rodríguez-Cabello J. C., and Mano J. F.
Abstract

Inspired by the cells' structure, we present compartmentalized capsules with temperature and magnetic-based responsiveness, and hierarchical organization ranging from the nano- to the visible scales. Liquefied alginate macroscopic beads coated with a layer-by-layer (LbL) chitosan/alginate shell served as containers both for model fluorophores and microcapsules, which in their turn encapsulated either another fluorophore or magnetic
nanoparticles (MNPs). The microcapsules were coated with a temperature responsive chitosan/elastin-like recombinamer (ELR) nanostructured shell. By varying the temperature from 25 ºC to 37 ºC, the two-hour release of rhodamine encapsulated within the microcapsules and its diffusion through the external compartment decreased from 84% and 71%. The devices could withstand handling and centrifugal stress, with 50% remaining intact at a rotation speed of 2000g. MNPs attributed magnetic responsiveness towards external magnetic fields. Such customizable system can be envisaged to transport bioactive agents and cells in tissue
engineering applications.

JournalBiomacromolecules
Volume14
Pagination2403-2410
Date Published2013-05-21
PublisherAmerican Chemical Society
DOI10.1021/bm400527y
URLhttp://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/bm400527y
KeywordsCompartments, Hierarchical organization, magnetic properties, Multilayers, Polymers
RightsrestrictedAccess
Peer reviewedyes
Statuspublished

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