Improving the biological interfacing capability of diketopyrrolopyrrole polymers via p-type doping

Polydiketopyrrolopyrrole terthiophene (DPP3T) is an organic semiconducting polymer that has been widely investigated as the active layer within organic electronic devices, such as photovoltaics and bioelectronic sensors. To facilitate interfacing between biological systems and organic semiconductors it is crucial to tune the material properties to support not only cell adhesion, but also proliferation and growth. Herein, we highlight the potential of molecular doping to judiciously modulate the surface properties of DPP3T and investigate the effects on Schwann cell behaviour on the surface. By using p-type dopants FeCl₃ and Magic Blue, we successfully alter the topography of DPP3T thin films, which in turn alters cell behaviour of a Schwann cell line on the surfaces of the films over the course of 48 hours. Cell numbers are significantly increased within both DPP3T doped films, as well as cells possessing larger, more spread out morphology indicated by cell size and shape analysis. Furthermore, the viability of the Schwann cells seeded on the surfaces of the films was not significantly lowered. The use of dopants for influencing cell behaviour on semiconducting polymers holds great promise for improving the cell-device interface, potentially allowing better integration of cells and devices at the initial time of introduction to a biological environment.

Fabrication of a label-free electrochemical cell-based biosensor for toxicity assessment of thiram

Thiram has been widely used in agriculture and may invades the food chain, posing a threat to human health. In this research, a label-free electrochemical cell-based biosensor was presented for in vitro toxicity assessment of thiram. HepG2 cells were cultured on poly-l-lysine@gold nano-flowers functionalized indium tin oxide coated glass electrode (PLL@AuNFs/ITO) to serve as biorecognition elements. AuNFs were electrodeposited on ITO to provide an enlarged specific surface area and benefited the output signal amplification. PLL was selected as an effective biocompatible coating material to facilitate cell adhesion and proliferation, thereby realizing one-step recording of electrochemical signals from thiram-treated cells. With the aid of the differential pulse voltammetry method, the fabricated biosensor was applied to assess the cytotoxicity of thiram. Results showed that the cytotoxicity measured by the fabricated biosensor exhibited a linear relationship related to thiram concentration ranging from 5 to 50 μM with a detection limit of 2.23 μM. The IC₅₀ of thiram obtained by the biosensor was 29.5 μM, which was close to that of conventional MTT assay (30.8 μM). The effects of thiram on HepG2 cells were also investigated via SEM and flow cytometry. Meanwhile, the proposed biosensor was used to evaluate the toxicity of thiram in fruit samples. Results indicated that the toxicity of thiram cannot be ignored even at a low residual concentration in food (≤5 mg/kg). In conclusion, the developed sensor showed excellent sensitivity, stability, and reliability, which provided a great capacity for the convenient toxicity evaluation of thiram residue in food.

Recent Advances and Biomedical Applications of Peptide-Integrated Conducting Polymers

Conducting polymers (CPs) are of great interests to researchers around the world in biomedical applications owing to their unique electrical and mechanical properties. Besides, they are easy to fabricate and have long-term stability. These features make CPs a powerful building block of modern biomaterials. Peptide functionalization has been a versatile tool for the development of CP-based biomaterials. With the aid of peptide modifications, the biocompatibility, target selectivity, and cellular interactions of CPs can be greatly improved. Reflecting these aspects, an increasing number of studies on peptide-integrated conducting polymers have been reported recently. In this review, various kinds of peptide immobilization strategies on CPs are introduced. Moreover, the aims of peptide modification are discussed in three aspects: enhancing the specific selectivity, avoiding nonspecific adhesion, and mimicking the environment of extracellular matrix. We highlighted recent studies in the applications of peptide-integrated CPs in electrochemical sensors, antifouling surfaces, and conductive biointerfaces. These studies have shown great potentials from the integration of peptide and CPs as a versatile platform for advanced biological and clinical applications in the near future.

Conjugated Polymer for Implantable Electronics toward Clinical Application

Owing to their excellent mechanical flexibility, mixed-conducting electrical property, and extraordinary chemical turnability, conjugated polymers have been demonstrated to be an ideal bioelectronic interface to deliver therapeutic effect in many different chronic diseases. This review article summarizes the latest advances in implantable electronics using conjugated polymers as electroactive materials and identifies remaining challenges and opportunities for developing electronic medicine. Examples of conjugated polymer-based bioelectronic devices are selectively reviewed in human clinical studies or animal studies with the potential for clinical adoption. The unique properties of conjugated polymers are highlighted and exemplified as potential solutions to address the specific challenges in electronic medicine.

Enzyme-free detection of hydrogen peroxide with a hybrid transducing system based on sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and prussian blue nanoparticles

Herein, we report a two-layered hybrid catalytic interface composed of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), poly (3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT), Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles and Nickel-Hexacyanoferrate (Ni-HCF) layer for the enzyme-free detection of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Whereas the first layer, CMC:PEDOT:PB, is responsible for generating amperometric signals toward H₂O₂, Ni-HCF on CMC:PEDOT:PB layer is playing an active role as an operational stability-enhancer. In the study, where the systematic optimization of the sensor electrode is presented using cyclic voltammetry (CV), amperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique, the physical and chemical properties of the hybrid composite systems constructed is also supported by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The amperometric signal generation of the H₂O₂ sensor was linear between 1 and 100 μM (R² = 0.999) with a sensitivity of 416.11 μA mM^-1cm^-2, providing a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.33 μM. The sensing system, which was not affected by the various interfering molecules, creates a successful sensor platform for H₂O₂ measurements in tap water with a high recovery value between 94.0% and 110.5% and relatively small RSD in the range of 0.4-5.2%.

Optical Properties and Conductivity of PVA-H3PO4 (Polyvinyl Alcohol-Phosphoric Acid) Film Blend Irradiated by γ-Rays

This study assesses the optical properties and conductivity of PVA–H₃PO₄ (polyvinyl alcohol–phosphoric acid) polymer film blend irradiated by gamma (γ) rays. The PVA–H₃PO₄ polymer film blend was prepared by the solvent-casting method at H₃PO₄ concentrations of 75 v% and 85 v%, and then irradiated up to 25 kGy using γ-rays from the Cobalt-60 isotope source. The optical absorption spectrum was measured using an ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer over a wavelength range of 200 to 700 nm. It was found that the absorption peaks are in three regions, namely two peaks in the ultraviolet region (310 and 350 nm) and one peak in the visible region (550 nm). The presence of an absorption peak after being exposed to hυ energy indicates a transition of electrons from HOMO to LUMO within the polymer chain. The study of optical absorption shows that the energy band gap (energy gap) depends on the radiation dose and the concentration of H₃PO₄ in the polymer film blend. The optical absorption, absorption edge, and energy gap decrease with increasing H₃PO₄ concentration and radiation dose. The interaction between PVA and H₃PO₄ blend led to an increase in the conductivity of the resulting polymer blend film.

Peptide-Modified Biopolymers for Biomedical Applications

Polymeric biomaterials have been used in a variety of applications, like cargo delivery and tissue scaffolding, because they are easily synthesized and can be adapted to many systems. However, there is still a need to further enhance and improve their functions to progress their use in the biomedical field. A promising solution is to modify the polymer surfaces with peptides that can increase biocompatibility, cellular interactions, and receptor targeting. In recent years, peptide modifications have been used to overcome many challenges to polymer biomaterial development. This review discusses recent progress in developing peptide-modified polymers for therapeutic applications including cell-specific targeting and tissue engineering. Furthermore, we will explore some of the most frequently studied base components of these biomaterials.

The effect of copolymerization and carbon nanoelements on the performance of poly(2,5-di(thienyl)pyrrole) biosensors

The development of biosensing interfaces based on copolymerization of benzenamine-2,5-di(thienyl)pyrrole (SNS-An) with 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) is reported. Both homopolymer P(SNS-An) and copolymer P(SNS-An-co-EDOT) films were prepared and evaluated, in terms of biosensing efficiency, upon incorporation of carbon nanoelements (carbon nanotubes and fullerene) and cross-linking of glucose oxidase. The copolymer revealed superior performance as a biosensing interface as compared to the homopolymer structure or previously reported P(SNS) biosensors. The analytical characteristics and stability studies were performed both at cathodic potential, monitoring O₂ consumption, as a result of catalytic reaction of glucose oxidase towards glucose and at anodic potential, following the oxidation of the H₂O₂ produced during the catalytic reaction. Whilst the measurements on the positive side offered an extended linear range (0.01-5.0 mM), the negative side provided sensitivity up to 104.96 μA/mMcm^-1 within a shorter range. Detection limits were as low as 1.9 μM with Km value of 0.49 mM. Lastly, the most performant biosensing platforms, including copolymeric structure and CNTs were employed for analysis in real samples.

Conjugated Polymers in Bioelectronics: Addressing the Interface Challenge

Conjugated polymers are the material of choice for organic bioelectronic interfaces as they combine mechanical flexibility with electric and ionic conductivity. Their attractive properties are largely demonstrated in vitro, while the in vivo applications are limited to the coating of inorganic electrodes, where they are used to improve the intimate electronic contact between the device and the tissue. However, there has not been a commensurate rise in the in vivo applications of entirely organic implantable electronic devices based on conjugated polymers. To date, there is no comprehensive understanding of how these devices will interface with real biological systems. With the push toward increasingly thinner and more flexible next generation medical implants, this limitation remains a major detractor in the translation of conjugated polymers toward biological applications. This research news article examines the few reported in vivo studies and attempts to establish why there is such a dearth in the literature.

Attenuated Glial Reactivity on Topographically Functionalized Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene):P-Toluene Sulfonate (PEDOT:PTS) Neuroelectrodes Fabricated by Microimprint Lithography

Following implantation, neuroelectrode functionality is susceptible to deterioration via reactive host cell response and glial scar-induced encapsulation. Within the neuroengineering community, there is a consensus that the induction of selective adhesion and regulated cellular interaction at the tissue-electrode interface can significantly enhance device interfacing and functionality in vivo. In particular, topographical modification holds promise for the development of functionalized neural interfaces to mediate initial cell adhesion and the subsequent evolution of gliosis, minimizing the onset of a proinflammatory glial phenotype, to provide long-term stability. Herein, a low-temperature microimprint-lithography technique for the development of micro-topographically functionalized neuroelectrode interfaces in electrodeposited poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):p-toluene sulfonate (PEDOT:PTS) is described and assessed in vitro. Platinum (Pt) microelectrodes are subjected to electrodeposition of a PEDOT:PTS microcoating, which is subsequently topographically functionalized with an ordered array of micropits, inducing a significant reduction in electrode electrical impedance and an increase in charge storage capacity. Furthermore, topographically functionalized electrodes reduce the adhesion of reactive astrocytes in vitro, evident from morphological changes in cell area, focal adhesion formation, and the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokine factors. This study contributes to the understanding of gliosis in complex primary mixed cell cultures, and describes the role of micro-topographically modified neural interfaces in the development of stable microelectrode interfaces.

Rhodamine-based conjugated polymers: potentiometric, colorimetric and voltammetric sensing of mercury ions in aqueous medium

Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a conducting polymer film used as a simple and novel multi-signal sensor platform which demonstrates ion selective potentiometric, colorimetric and voltammetric responses in aqueous media.

Rhodamine functionalized conducting polymers for dual intention: electrochemical sensing and fluorescence imaging of cells

We report here the electrochemical co-polymerization of two functional monomers; one containing fluorescent rhodamine dye (RF) and the other monomer having amine groups (RD), onto electroactive Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) glass.

Synthesis and application of a novel poly-l-phenylalanine electroactive macromonomer as matrix for the biosensing of ‘Abused Drug’ model

The synthesis and biosensing application of a novel poly-l-phenylalanine-bearing electroactive macromonomer has been carried out.

Synthesis of a novel, fluorescent, electroactive and metal ion sensitive thienylpyrrole derivate

A new novel, pyrene modified, thiophene–pyrrole based monomer was synthesized via a Schiff base reaction. It showed sensitive fluorescence changes when interacting with metal ions. Moreover, the electrochemical properties of its polymer were investigated.

Smart window application of a new hydrazide type SNS derivative

In this article the smart window application of a new type of thienylpyrrole derivative is presented.

Ferrocene-functionalized 4-(2,5-Di(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)aniline: a novel design in conducting polymer-based electrochemical biosensors

Herein, we report a novel ferrocenyldithiophosphonate functional conducting polymer and its use as an immobilization matrix in amperometric biosensor applications. Initially, 4-(2,5-di(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)amidoferrocenyldithiophosphonate was synthesized and copolymerized with 4-(2,5-di(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)benzenamine at graphite electrodes. The amino groups on the polymer were utilized for covalent attachment of the enzyme glucose oxidase. Besides, ferrocene on the backbone was used as a redox mediator during the electrochemical measurements. Prior to the analytical characterization, optimization studies were carried out. The changes in current signals at +0.45 V were proportional to glucose concentration from 0.5 to 5.0 mM. Finally, the resulting biosensor was applied for glucose analysis in real samples and the data were compared with the spectrophotometric Trinder method.

Electroactive polymer–peptide conjugates for adhesive biointerfaces

Conducting-polymer–peptide conjugates with controlled properties have been used as soft bioelectroactive supports for cell attachment.

Comparative investigation of spectroelectrochemical and biosensor application of two isomeric thienylpyrrole derivatives

In the present work, we performed a comparative investigation of spectroelectrochemical and biosensor application of two isomeric thienylpyrrole derivatives.