CUSE Biomaterials Seminar: Recent Developments in Zwitterionic Materials for Biomedical Applications

Recent Developments in Zwitterionic Materials for Biomedical Applications

Dr. Shaoyi Jiang, Robert S. Langer ’70 Family and Friends Professor, Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University

Abstract: An important challenge in many applications is the prevention of unwanted nonspecific biomolecular and macromolecular attachment on surfaces from implants to drug delivery carriers. We have demonstrated that zwitterionic materials and surfaces are highly resistant to nonspecific protein adsorption and microorganism attachment from complex media. Typical zwitterionic materials include poly(carboxybetaine), poly(sulfobetaine), poly(trimethylamine N-oxide), and glutamic acid (E) and lysine (K)-containing poly(peptides). Unlike poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), there exist diversified zwitterionic molecular structures to accommodate various properties and applications. Furthermore, zwitterionic materials are super-hydrophilic while their PEG counterparts are amphiphilic.  In this talk, I will discuss the application of zwitterionic materials to implants, stem cell cultures for controlled preservation/expansion/differentiation, medical devices and drug delivery carriers. With zwitterionic coatings, hydrogels or nanoparticles, results show no capsule formation upon subcutaneous implantation in mice for one year, expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) without differentiation, no anti-coagulants needed for artificial lungs in sheep, and no antibodies generated against zwitterionic polymers. Currently, we are integrating immunology into our biomaterials research and translating our biomaterials to applications ranging from cancer immunotherapy and vaccine to regenerative and precision medicine.

For Zoom information, please contact Era Jain.