Development of stimulus-responsive cellulose nanocrystals based on terminal functionalization method and its biomedical application

2019 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18F18090
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: 上高原 浩 京都大学, 農学研究科, 教授 (10293911)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): DHAR PRODYUT 京都大学, (連合)農学研究科(研究院), 外国人特別研究員
• Project Period (FY): 2018-10-12 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: Cellulose nanocrystals / Microfluidics / Biomedical / Nanomotors

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

A microfluidic device for the continuous production of Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNCs) was designed and is in process of fabrication through a series of sequential steps of photo-lithography. In the second part of the project, strategic end-functionalization of CNCs are carried out using enzymes for fabrication of CNC based nanomotors which have potential biomedical applications. The study will be concluded by determining the enzyme stability and predicting the motion of the nanomotors under various peroxide environments. In third part of the project, we have developed an insitu fermentation approach for production of lignin based bacterial cellulose films which shows potential applications in area of biomedical science with high biocompatibility and strong antioxidant activity preventing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in cells. We have also developed a new process of fabricating scaffolds form wood-based resources using a very simple and green approach and modified with various inorganic substrates for potential high performance applications.

Current Status of Research Progress

3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.

Reason

Little bit slower than estimated, because of the time taken to arrange the facilities.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

A series of microfluidic reactors are currently developed with different designs through photo lithography methods. They will be tested and optimized for cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) production and understand the mechanism for its fabrication using different acids for hydrolysis (varying concentration and flow rate) and cellulase enzymes with possible provision to recycle the acid/ enzymes for several recycles. CNCs produced with be characterized for the morphology, crystallinity, thermal properteis and other related structural and physico-chemical properties. In the second part of the project work, we are developing end-functionalized CNCs modifying it with enzymes which have high peroxidase activity. The enzyme modified CNCs will be characterized to determine their stability, enzyme activity and conformational changes in structure. In presence of peroxidase the motion of the nanomotors will be tracked and the average velocities under different concentration, pH and ionic strength of fuel will be determined. We have already developed bacterial cellulose lignin based aerogels and films which shows strong antioxidant activity towards cancer cells and UV-blocking activity making it suitable for packaging applications. We also developed a novel delignified wood based silica composite which have high surface area with improved physicochemical properties suitable for volatile organic compound (VOCs) removal. The manuscript written for the above-mentioned project are in process of submission.