Welcome to the new version of CaltechAUTHORS. Login is currently restricted to library staff. If you notice any issues, please email coda@library.caltech.edu
Published February 1987 | public
Journal Article

Interactions of synthetic polymers with cell membranes and model membrane systems. 13. On the mechanism of polyelectrolyte-induced structural reorganization in thin molecular films

Abstract

We reported in 1985 that polyelectrolyte adsorption can be wed to control the structural and functional properties of bilayer membranes prepared from double-chain surfactants in water. In particular, the pH-dependent adsorption of hydrophobic poly(carboxylic acids) on phosphatidylcholine films can be used to design surfactant vesicles that release their contents rapidly and quantitatively in response to changes in environmental parameters such as pH, temperature, or the concentrations of an organic solute, e.g., glucose. Composite thin films prepared in this way offer intriguing technological opportunities in information storage and transfer, in sensing and control (including biosensing), and in medical diagnosis and therapeutics.

Additional Information

© 1987 American Chemical Society. Received September 23, 1986. This work was supported by the NSF Materials Research Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts and by an NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award to D.A.T. We thank Professor R. M. Ottenbrite for fractionation of PEAA by ultrafiltration. Registry No. 1,62607-09-4; 2a, 2644-64-6; pyrene, 129-00-0; (2-ethylacrylic acid)(1-pyreneacrylic acid) (copolymer), 105971-07-1.

Additional details

Created:
August 19, 2023
Modified:
October 19, 2023