Dresden 2011 – wissenschaftliches Programm
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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik
CPP 9: Poster: Biopolymers and Biomaterials
CPP 9.1: Poster
Montag, 14. März 2011, 17:30–19:30, P2
AFM Micromechanics on Spheres and Capsules from Engineered Spider Silk — •Martin Peter Neubauer1, Claudia Blüm2, Thomas Scheibel2, and Andreas Fery1 — 1Department of Physical Chemistry II, University of Bayreuth, Germany — 2Department of Biomaterials, University of Bayreuth
Spider dragline silk exhibits astonishing mechanical properties combining high tensile strength and elasticity. Scheibel et al. were able to biochemically synthesize and engineer the crucial proteins accounting for the characteristic features of natural spider silk. Thus, it was possible to create a variety of structures such as spheres, capsules, hydrogels, fibers and films. Future applications are seen e.g. in the field of tissue scaffolds, biocompatible coatings or drug delivery [1].
Our aim is to perform force spectroscopy experiments in order to come to a profound understanding of the mechanical properties of these new materials. As main device we are using the atomic force microscope (AFM). The colloidal probe setup allows for single sphere/capsule measurements providing us with valuable and precise information about the response of the investigated systems to a defined mechanical stress. In addition to parameters like sample stiffness or adhesion it is also possible to monitor the release behaviour of capsules as a function of the applied force. Therefore, the classic AFM is combined with a fluorescence microscope [2].
[1] J.G. Hardy, L.M. Römer, T.R. Scheibel, Polymer, 49, 4309, (2008)
[2] P.A.L. Fernandes, M. Delcea, A.G. Skirtach, H. Möhwald, A. Fery, Soft Matter, 6, 1879, (2010)