Nanoparticle-bacteria interaction study based on surface functionalization of nanometric structures

Abstract

The present project aims to synthesize silica nanoparticles (SiO2NPs) andfunctionalize their surface with different chemical groups (mercapto, glycidyl,isocyanate, phenylethyl and amino) based on the objective of understanding how thedifferent functional groups favor the interaction of nanoparticles with the envelope ofdifferent bacteria. The functionalization of SiO2NPs with different functional groupsintends to select a system where the interaction nanoparticle-bacteria is enhanced. Thenanoparticles synthesized will be characterized by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS),nitrogen adsorption/desorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetricanalysis (TGA). The efficiency of the modification and functionalization ofSiO2NPs will be monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) as wellas by zeta potential. Incubation experiments with Escherichia coli (gram negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (gram positive) bacteria will be performed. Aliquots of the incubated material (nanoparticles + bacteria) will be analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indifferent intervals of time. These experiments will be used to correlate the effect of thenanoparticles functionalization with the interaction mechanism between bacteria andnanoparticles.