Biomolecules and nanomaterials: Using DNA, carbon nanoparticles, and block copolymers toward developments in bionanotechnology
Abstract
Nanotechnology has been extensively explored in the past few decades in biology, chemistry, medicine, and engineering. The discovery of novel materials, processes, and phenomena at the nanoscale provides the opportunity for creating innovative nanosystems and nanomaterials. In this thesis, three topics in nanotechnology will be covered (1) functionalization of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) to improve fluorescence quantum yield (2) determining the DNAzyme activity under psysiological conditions and (3) synthesis of nanoscale electrospun fibers using block copolymer. The peroxidase activities of different DNA were tested in phosphate-citrate buffer at pH 5. The catalytic activity of DNA was based on several factors: loop length of DNA strands, the sequences that intervene between guanines, and the bases of flanking sequences on either end of G-tracts. This topic was studied to help gain better understanding of how DNA sequences impact DNAzyme activities. Carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) were modified through oxidative treatments with concentrated nitric acid. Carboxylic acid groups were introduced on the surface of CNPs. Then, these carboxylic acid groups were converted into acyl chloride intermediates by treatment with thionyl chloride prior to interaction with amines. These functionalized CNPs were believed to increase fluorescence quantum yield due to the size-dependence of these nanoparticles. These fluorescent carbon nanoparticles have potential in biological labeling, bioimaging, and different optoelectronic device applications. Lastly, the electrospun fibers made of block copolymers (BCs) were prepared via electrospinning. Several parameters have been shown to influence the diameter of electronspun fibers including spinning voltage, polymer concentration, and various solvent mixtures of THF and DMF. These electrospun fibers can be used in biomedical related fields such as in artificial blood vessels, controlled drug delivery, biocatalysis, and in tissue growth applications
Degree
M.S.
Advisors
Mao, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Chemistry|Biochemistry|Nanotechnology
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