We report on the preparation of a biopolymer thin film by hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), which can be used as a dry green lubricant in sustainable manufacturing. The thin films were characterized through scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy; the films showed desirable levels of thickness, controllability, and uniformity. Tribology tests als...

Despite their overwhelming complexity, living cells display a high degree of internal mechanical and functional organization which can largely be attributed to the intracellular biopolymer scaffold, the cytoskeleton. Being a very complex system far from thermodynamic equilibrium, the cytoskeleton's ability to organize is at the same time challenging and fascinating. The extensive amounts of fre...

Hydrogels are hydrophilic three-dimensional networks with demonstrated potential for medical and pharmaceutical applications. Specifically, biopolymer-based hydrogels offer certain advantages over synthetic polymers in terms of biocompatibility and biodegradability. Because of their inherent properties, hydrogels are able to efficiently encapsulate and liberate in a controlled release manner, d...

Staphylococcus sp. strain BP/SU1, capable of degrading the biopolymer and utilize it as a source of carbon and energy, was isolated from activated sludge using METABOLIX (MBX D411G). It was found that this strain was capable of accumulating poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid) P(3-HB), as granule poly (3-hydroxybutyric acid), p(3-HB), inclusion bodies when grown under suitable nutrient conditions. These...

Kondagogu (Cochlospermum gossypium) gum (KG), a natural tree exudate, was investigated for its morphological, adsorption and metal interaction behavior with various toxic heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr and Fe). SEM, AFM and TEM techniques were used to study the morphological changes occurring after metal adsorption onto the biopolymer structure. The degree of biosorption of metals on KG biopolyme...

The controlled exchange of molecules between organelles, cells, or organisms and their environment is crucial for life. Biological gels such as mucus, the extracellular matrix (ECM), and the biopolymer barrier within the nuclear pore are well suited to achieve such a selective exchange, allowing passage of particular molecules while rejecting many others. Although hydrogel-based filters are int...

Coronary heart disease is currently the leading killer in the western world. Therapeutic angiogenic agents are currently being examined for treatment of this disease. We have recently demonstrated the effective use of Pleiotrophin (PTN) as a therapeutic agent for treatment of ischemic myocardium. We have also shown that injection of the biopolymer fibrin glue preserves left ventricular geometry...