Nanostructured interfaces for the investigation of bioactive substances in cell membrane models and for the construction of optoelectronic devices

Abstract

In this project, we intend to use Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films with two main objectives: (i) interaction studies of bioactive compounds in biointerface models, including cell membranes, viral envelopes, alveolar membranes, and supramolecular lipoprotein systems, and (ii) for the immobilization of enzymes, carbonaceous materials, and conductive polymers in ultra-thin nanostructured systems for the manufacture of bioinspired optoelectronic devices. Langmuir films will be produced from insoluble amphiphilic materials, such as lipids and polymers, and conveniently mixed with proteins, enzymes, and compounds with potential bioactivity, including those with antimicrobial, antiviral properties, antifungal, or antitumor activity. These materials include metallic nanoparticles and organic-inorganic hybrid materials, which will interact at the interface and be investigated through tensiometric, electrical, rheological, spectroscopic, and morphological measurements. Furthermore, we intend to immobilize enzymes, antibodies, and pieces of nucleic acids on LB films to produce optoelectronic devices capable of molecular recognition. For this, substances that help in molecular accommodation will be used, modulating the biological activity and the response signal induced by the interaction. Among the candidates are conductive polymers, metallic nanoparticles, polysaccharides, and carbonaceous materials (graphene and carbon nanotubes). In this sense, seek understanding at the molecular level about the interactions that help in the understanding of biophysical and biochemical processes in biointerfaces, many of them related to infectious processes or cell proliferation, as well as assist in the construction of intelligent surfaces built from organized bioinspired interfaces at the molecular level for the fabrication of optoelectronic devices of interest. (AU)