|
|
Line 64: |
Line 64: |
| <div class="post-it"> | | <div class="post-it"> |
| <p style="font-size:20px"> | | <p style="font-size:20px"> |
− | Hydrogels are three-dimensional networks made out of synthetic or natural polymers containing a high water content, therefore they receive an increasing attention in various fields. We were focused on not using any expensive or toxic compounds in combination with chitosan to manufacture a hydrogel. It could be formed at any shape with the perfect alignment to the surrounding tissue. | + | Hydrogels are three-dimensional networks made out of synthetic or natural polymers containing large quantities of water, therefore they receive an increasing attention in various fields. We were focused on not using any expensive or toxic linker in combination with chitosan to manufacture a hydrogel. It could be formed at any shape with a perfect alignment to the surrounding tissue. |
− | The aim was to produce such a hydrogel with basic lab equipment and modify it to detect pathogenic bacteria visually in wounds. To evaluate an ideal hydrogel, various compounds like agarose, agar or alginate were tested. During this work various promising hydrogels were produced. | + | The aim was to produce such a hydrogel with basic laboratory equipment and modify it to detect pathogenic bacteria visually in wounds. To evaluate an ideal hydrogel various gelation substrates were tested. During this work various promising hydrogels were produced. |
| </p></div> | | </p></div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
Line 75: |
Line 75: |
| <p>Patients with burn wounds or other poor-healing wounds, like diabetes wounds, often suffer from various complications such as infections. Until now the common medical bandages have to be removed to monitor the wound healing progress. To examine if there is an infection, which implies the presence of pathogenic bacteria, samples of the wound have to be taken and studied in a specialized laboratory. This is a long time and expensive process and we want to simplify and accelerate this procedure. | | <p>Patients with burn wounds or other poor-healing wounds, like diabetes wounds, often suffer from various complications such as infections. Until now the common medical bandages have to be removed to monitor the wound healing progress. To examine if there is an infection, which implies the presence of pathogenic bacteria, samples of the wound have to be taken and studied in a specialized laboratory. This is a long time and expensive process and we want to simplify and accelerate this procedure. |
| <br>The solution for the problem is a hydrogel, with the advantages of the special characteristics such as biocompatibility, elasticity, and modifiable chemical properties. Most hydrogels could swell in aqueous solutions; for our purpose, as a wound bandage, it can be used to absorb some of the wound fluid <a href="#[3]">[3]</a><a href="#[4]">[4]</a>. Furthermore it can be attached hermetically and the moisture provided by the hydrogel leads therefore to ideal wound healing conditions <a href="#[5]">[5]</a> | | <br>The solution for the problem is a hydrogel, with the advantages of the special characteristics such as biocompatibility, elasticity, and modifiable chemical properties. Most hydrogels could swell in aqueous solutions; for our purpose, as a wound bandage, it can be used to absorb some of the wound fluid <a href="#[3]">[3]</a><a href="#[4]">[4]</a>. Furthermore it can be attached hermetically and the moisture provided by the hydrogel leads therefore to ideal wound healing conditions <a href="#[5]">[5]</a> |
− | <br>An optimal polymer for such a hydrogel is chitosan. Beside beneficial properties like biocompatibility, biodegradability, and film forming ability, chitosan has reactive amine side groups. This offers possibilities for modifications, like the linkage of a fluorophore to detect the pathogenic bacteria <a href="#[2]">[2]</a>. | + | <br>An optimal polymer for such a hydrogel is the unique aminopolysaccharide chitosan. Beside beneficial properties like its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and film forming ability, chitosan has reactive amine side groups. This offers possibilities for modifications, like the linkage of a fluorophore to detect the pathogenic bacteria <a href="#[2]">[2]</a>. |
| <br> | | <br> |
| <a href="https://2017.igem.org/Team:TU_Darmstadt/project/chemistry">(see our Chemistry subproject)</a> | | <a href="https://2017.igem.org/Team:TU_Darmstadt/project/chemistry">(see our Chemistry subproject)</a> |
| | | |
− | <br>The hemostatic chitosan is reported to have intrinsic antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties <a href="#[6]">[6]</a>. Furthermore it promotes scar free wound healing and has care effects, and acts antiallergic <a href="#[7]">[7]</a>. It is an ideal scaffold material to manufacture different types of hydrogels as salves, pastes or solid bandages. <br> | + | <br>The hemostatic chitosan is reported to have intrinsic antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties <a href="#[6]">[6]</a>. Furthermore it promotes scar free wound healing and has care effects, and acts antiallergic <a href="#[7]">[7]</a>. It is an ideal scaffold material to manufacture different types of hydrogels as salves, beads, sponges or solid bandages. <br> |
| | | |
| <br> | | <br> |
Line 90: |
Line 90: |
| | | |
| <h3>Production</h3> | | <h3>Production</h3> |
− | <p>To evaluate an ideal hydrogel, various compositions were tested, like pure chitosan or chitosan in combination with agarose, agar or alginate. The commercial avaiable high-molecular weight chitosan was provided by Sigma-Aldrich (Munich, Germany). | + | <p>To evaluate an ideal hydrogel, various compositions were tested, like pure chitosan or chitosan in combination with agarose, agar or alginate. The commercially available high-molecular weight chitosan was provided by Sigma-Aldrich (Munich, Germany). |
− | The hydrogels we wanted to create are due to their compounds not toxic, biodegradable, biocompatible, while at the same time having low-cost and easy to manufacturing processes. They are easy to produce in different shapes and thicknesses. While being flexible they keep their stability, which makes it comfortable for patients to wear, as well easy to manufacture, handle and apply on patients. | + | The hydrogels we wanted to create are due to their compounds not toxic, biodegradable, biocompatible, while at the same time having low-cost and easy to manufacturing processes. They are easy to produce in different shapes and thicknesses. While being flexible they will not dissolve or disintegrate, which makes it comfortable for patients to wear, as well easy to manufacture, handle and using on patients. |
− | The pH-level of our hydrogels are easy to regulate.
| + | We were focused to work with basic laboratory equipment. For the preparation of chitosan hydrogels, an acidic environment is usually required to dissolve chitosan. Thus the pH-level of our hydrogels are easy to regulate. We manufactured our chitosan containing hydrogel in aqueous acetic acid. <br> |
− | We were focused to work with basic laboratory equipment. For the preparation of chitosan hydrogels, an acidic environment is usually required to dissolve chitosan. We manufactured our chitosan containing hydrogel in aqueous acetic acid. <br> | + | |
| A long time continuous mechanical stirring (6 hours) is required to dissolve the chitosan in the acetic acid-deionized water solution. Under continuous pH measurement it needs mechanically stirring for 12 hours. This solution needs to rest for at least 12 hours for further processing.</p> | | A long time continuous mechanical stirring (6 hours) is required to dissolve the chitosan in the acetic acid-deionized water solution. Under continuous pH measurement it needs mechanically stirring for 12 hours. This solution needs to rest for at least 12 hours for further processing.</p> |
| <br> | | <br> |
Line 238: |
Line 237: |
| During the work with chitosan hydrogels various compositions were tested and promising hydrogels were produced. Hydrogels were manufactured with pure chitosan or chitosan in combination with agarose, agar or alginate. Depending on the concentration of chitosan and the respective gelling agent (agarose, agar, alginate) the gels were more or less solid. We manufactured stable and elastic gels which allows easy handling. According to the field of application a solid or smooth hydrogel is advisable. | | During the work with chitosan hydrogels various compositions were tested and promising hydrogels were produced. Hydrogels were manufactured with pure chitosan or chitosan in combination with agarose, agar or alginate. Depending on the concentration of chitosan and the respective gelling agent (agarose, agar, alginate) the gels were more or less solid. We manufactured stable and elastic gels which allows easy handling. According to the field of application a solid or smooth hydrogel is advisable. |
| <br>The pH-level of the hydrogels is easy to regulate by rinsing it with the proper defined pH-level solution or using a higher or lower acetic acid concentration to dissolve the chitosan in a aqueous solution. This is beneficial for an adjustment to the respective wound and the pH of the affected wound. | | <br>The pH-level of the hydrogels is easy to regulate by rinsing it with the proper defined pH-level solution or using a higher or lower acetic acid concentration to dissolve the chitosan in a aqueous solution. This is beneficial for an adjustment to the respective wound and the pH of the affected wound. |
− | <br>Another advantage is the application for moist wound healing, as well as the factor that our hydrogels will airtight the wounds. Here the hydrogel prevents the formation of crusts and provides moisture. Both are important wound healing factors. The nutrient transport and release of signaling molecules is improved and scarring is massivly reduced with chitosan as wound toping layer. Our hydrogels can additionally deliver a monitoring bandage for affected patients without the need to disrupt the healing process and thus lighten the burden for the patients. The hydrogel should help to prevent or treat wound infections for example at any degree of burns. We thanks the iGEM Team diagnost-X from Berlin for their expertise and informations which they provided us regarding these medical problems. | + | <br>Another advantage is the application for moist wound healing, as well as the factor that our hydrogels will airtight the wounds. Here the hydrogel prevents the formation of crusts and provides moisture. Both are important wound healing factors. The nutrient transport and release of signaling molecules is improved and scarring is massivly reduced with chitosan as wound toping layer. Our hydrogels can additionally deliver a monitoring bandage for affected patients without the need to disrupt the healing process and thus lighten the burden for the patients. The hydrogel should help to prevent or treat wound infections for example at any degree of burns. We thanks the iGEM Team diagnost-X from Berlin for their provided expertise and informations regarding these medical problems. |
− | <br>The chitosan with itself or in combination other natural polymers is an ideal scaffold material to manufacture different types of hydrogels as salves, pastes or solid bandages. Due to its wound healing effects and in combination with the medical benefits of a hydrogel it means an optimal wound healing dressing. Our hydrogels should be easy to load and therefore an ideal local slow-release drug-delivery vehicle for various therapeutic agents, pharmaceuticals, antimircobial or growth factors readily incorporated <i>in situ</i> to a treated tissue. | + | <br>The chitosan with itself or in combination other natural polymers is an ideal scaffold material to manufacture different types of hydrogels as salves, micro-, macroparticles, solid bandages and so on. Due to its wound healing effects and in combination with the medical benefits of a hydrogel it means an optimal wound healing dressing. Our hydrogels should be easy to load and therefore an ideal local slow-release drug-delivery vehicle for various therapeutic agents, pharmaceuticals, antimircobials or growth factors readily incorporated <i>in situ</i> to a treated tissue. |
| | | |
| | | |