@article{CharanKinzelGlebeetal.2016, author = {Charan, Himanshu and Kinzel, Julia and Glebe, Ulrich and Anand, Deepak and Garakani, Tayebeh Mirzaei and Zhu, Leilei and Bocola, Marco and Schwaneberg, Ulrich and B{\"o}ker, Alexander}, title = {Grafting PNIPAAm from beta-barrel shaped transmembrane nanopores}, series = {Biomaterials : biomaterials reviews online}, volume = {107}, journal = {Biomaterials : biomaterials reviews online}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0142-9612}, doi = {10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.08.033}, pages = {115 -- 123}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The research on protein-polymer conjugates by grafting from the surface of proteins has gained significant interest in the last decade. While there are many studies with globular proteins, membrane proteins have remained untouched to the best of our knowledge. In this study, we established the conjugate formation with a class of transmembrane proteins and grow polymer chains from the ferric hydroxamate uptake protein component A (FhuA; a beta-barrel transmembrane protein of Escherichia coli). As the lysine residues of naturally occurring FhuA are distributed over the whole protein, FhuA was reengineered to have up to 11 lysines, distributed symmetrically in a rim on the membrane exposed side (outside) of the protein channel and exclusively above the hydrophobic region. Reengineering of FhuA ensures a polymer growth only on the outside of the beta-barrel and prevents blockage of the channel as a result of the polymerization. A water-soluble initiator for controlled radical polymerization (CRP) was consecutively linked to the lysine residues of FhuA and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) polymerized under copper mediated CRP conditions. The conjugate formation was analyzed by using MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry, SDS-PAGE, circular dichroism spectroscopy, analytical ultracentrifugation, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy and size exclusion chromatography. Such conjugates combine the specific functions of the transmembrane proteins, like maintaining membrane potential gradients or translocation of substrates with the unique properties of synthetic polymers such as temperature and pH stimuli handles. FhuA-PNIPAAm conjugates will serve as functional nanosized building blocks for applications in targeted drug delivery, self-assembly systems, functional membranes and transmembrane protein gated nanoreactors. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{HiltlBoeker2016, author = {Hiltl, Stephanie and B{\"o}ker, Alexander}, title = {Wetting Phenomena on (Gradient) Wrinkle Substrates}, series = {Langmuir}, volume = {32}, journal = {Langmuir}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0743-7463}, doi = {10.1021/acs.langmuir.6b02364}, pages = {8882 -- 8888}, year = {2016}, abstract = {We characterize the wetting behavior of nano structured wrinkle and gradient wrinkle substrates. Different contact angles on both sides of a water droplet after deposition on a gradient sample induce the self-propelled motion of the liquid toward smaller wrinkle dimensions. The droplet motion is self-limited by the contact angles balancing out. Because of the correlation between droplet motion and contact angles, we investigate the wetting behavior of wrinkle substrates with constant dimensions (wavelengths of 400-1200 nm). Contact angles of water droplets on those substrates increase with increasing dimensions of the underlying substrate. The results are independent of the two measurement directions, parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the nanostructure. The presented findings may be considered for designing microfluidic or related devices and initiate ideas for the development of further wrinkle applications.}, language = {en} } @article{KathreinBaiNunnsetal.2016, author = {Kathrein, Christine C. and Bai, Wubin and Nunns, Adam and Gwyther, Jessica and Manners, Ian and B{\"o}ker, Alexander and Tsarkova, Larisa and Ross, Caroline A.}, title = {Electric field manipulated nanopatterns in thin films of metalorganic 3-miktoarm star terpolymers}, series = {Soft matter}, volume = {12}, journal = {Soft matter}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1744-683X}, doi = {10.1039/c6sm00451b}, pages = {4866 -- 4874}, year = {2016}, abstract = {We report the effect of electric field on the morphological transitions and ordering behavior of polyferrocenylethylmethylsilane block (PFEMS)-containing copolymers. By analyzing structures in solvent-annealed films of metalorganic sphere-and cylinder-forming diblock copolymers, as well as of 3-miktoarm polyisoprene-arm-polystyrene-arm-PFEMS (3 mu-ISF) terpolymers, we decouple two types of responses to the electric field: morphological transformations as a result of an increase in the volume fraction of the PFEMS block by oxidation of the ferrocenyl groups, and the orientation of the dielectric interfaces of microdomains parallel to the electric field vector. In the case of 3m-ISF, the former effect dominates at high electric field strengths which results in an unexpected cylinder-to-sphere transition, leading to a well-ordered hexagonal dot pattern. Our results demonstrate multiple tunability of ordered microdomain morphologies, suggesting future applications in nanofabrication and surface patterning.}, language = {en} } @article{KathreinPesterRuppeletal.2016, author = {Kathrein, Christine C. and Pester, Christian and Ruppel, Markus and Jung, Maike and Zimmermann, Marc and B{\"o}ker, Alexander}, title = {Reorientation mechanisms of block copolymer/CdSe quantum dot composites under application of an electric field}, series = {Soft matter}, volume = {12}, journal = {Soft matter}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1744-683X}, doi = {10.1039/c6sm01073c}, pages = {8417 -- 8424}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Time- and temperature-resolved in situ birefringence measurements were applied to analyze the effect of nanoparticles on the electric field-induced alignment of a microphase separated solution of poly(styrene)-block-poly(isoprene) in toluene. Through the incorporation of isoprene-confined CdSe quantum dots the reorientation behavior is altered. Particle loading lowers the order-disorder transition temperature, and increases the defect density, favoring nucleation and growth as an alignment mechanism over rotation of grains. The temperature dependent alteration in the reorientation mechanism is analyzed via a combination of birefringence and synchrotron SAXS. The detailed understanding of the effect of nanoparticles on the reorientation mechanism is an important prerequisite for optimization of electricfield-induced alignment of block copolymer/nanoparticle composites where the block copolymer guides the nanoparticle self-assembly into anisotropic structures.}, language = {en} } @article{LiuBoeker2016, author = {Liu, Bing and B{\"o}ker, Alexander}, title = {Measuring rotational diffusion of colloidal spheres with confocal microscopy}, series = {Soft matter}, volume = {12}, journal = {Soft matter}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1744-683X}, doi = {10.1039/c6sm01082b}, pages = {6033 -- 6037}, year = {2016}, abstract = {We report an experimental method to measure the translational and rotational dynamics of colloidal spheres in three dimensions with confocal microscopy and show that the experimental values reasonably agree with the theoretical values. This method can be extended to study rotational dynamics in concentrated colloidal systems and complex bio-systems.}, language = {en} } @article{ParkWaltaRosencrantzetal.2016, author = {Park, H. and Walta, S. and Rosencrantz, Ruben R. and Koerner, A. and Schulte, Christoph and Elling, L. and Richtering, Walter and B{\"o}ker, Alexander}, title = {Micelles from self-assembled double-hydrophilic PHEMA-glycopolymer-diblock copolymers as multivalent scaffolds for lectin binding}, series = {Polymer Chemistry}, volume = {7}, journal = {Polymer Chemistry}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1759-9954}, doi = {10.1039/c5py00797f}, pages = {878 -- 886}, year = {2016}, abstract = {We introduce a novel double-hydrophilic hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) based diblock glycopolymer which self-assembles into homogeneous spherical micellar structures in water. The micellar structure renders surface-oriented N-acetylglucocosamine (GlcNAc) sugar moieties for strong multivalent glycan-mediated lectin binding. Structural analysis and lectin binding is performed by microscopy methods, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and two-focus fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (2fFCS), revealing a novel micellar type of multivalent sugar binding scaffold with high potential for biomedical applications.}, language = {en} } @article{ParkChengBoekeretal.2016, author = {Park, Sungjune and Cheng, Xiao and B{\"o}ker, Alexander and Tsarkova, Larisa}, title = {Hierarchical Manipulation of Block Copolymer Patterns on 3D Topographic Substrates: Beyond Graphoepitaxy}, series = {Advanced materials}, volume = {28}, journal = {Advanced materials}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {0935-9648}, doi = {10.1002/adma.201601098}, pages = {6900 -- +}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Templates of complex nanopatterns in a form of hierarchically sequenced dots and stripes can be generated in block copolymer films on lithography-free 3D topographic substrates. The approach exploits thickness- and swelling-responsive morphological behavior of block copolymers, and demonstrates novel possibilities of topography-guided registration of nanopatterns due to periodic confinement and spontaneous orthogonal flow-fields.}, language = {en} } @article{RichterSchulzSubkowskietal.2016, author = {Richter, Marina Juliane and Schulz, Alexander and Subkowski, Thomas and B{\"o}ker, Alexander}, title = {Adsorption and rheological behavior of an amphiphilic protein at oil/water interfaces}, series = {Journal of colloid and interface science}, volume = {479}, journal = {Journal of colloid and interface science}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {San Diego}, issn = {0021-9797}, doi = {10.1016/j.jcis.2016.06.062}, pages = {199 -- 206}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Hydrophobins are highly surface active proteins which self-assemble at hydrophilic-hydrophobic interfaces into amphipathic membranes. We investigate hydrophobin self-assembly at oil/water interfaces to deepen the understanding of protein behavior in order to improve our biomimetic synthesis. Therefore, we carried out pendant drop measurements of hydrophobin stabilized oil/water systems determining the time-dependent IFT and the dilatational rheology with additional adaptation to the Serrien protein model. We show that the class I hydrophobin H*Protein B adsorbs at an oil/water interface where it forms a densely-packed interfacial protein layer, which dissipates energy during droplet oscillation. Furthermore, the interfacial protein layer exhibits shear thinning behavior. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{RosencrantzVuHoaNguyenParketal.2016, author = {Rosencrantz, Ruben R. and Vu Hoa Nguyen, and Park, Hyunji and Schulte, Christine and B{\"o}ker, Alexander and Schnakenberg, Uwe and Elling, Lothar}, title = {Lectin binding studies on a glycopolymer brush flow-through biosensor by localized surface plasmon resonance}, series = {Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry : a merger of Fresenius' journal of analytical chemistry and Analusis}, volume = {408}, journal = {Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry : a merger of Fresenius' journal of analytical chemistry and Analusis}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Heidelberg}, issn = {1618-2642}, doi = {10.1007/s00216-016-9667-9}, pages = {5633 -- 5640}, year = {2016}, abstract = {A localized surface plasmon resonance biosensor in a flow-through configuration was applied for investigating kinetics of lectin binding to surface-grafted glycopolymer brushes. Polycarbonate filter membranes with pore sizes of 400 nm were coated with a 114-nm thick gold layer and used as substrate for surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization of a glycomonomer. These grafted from glycopolymer brushes were further modified with two subsequent enzymatic reactions on the surface to yield an immobilized trisaccharide presenting brush. Specific binding of lectins including Clostridium difficile toxin A receptor domain to the glycopolymer brush surface could be investigated in a microfluidic setup with flow-through of the analytes and transmission surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy.}, language = {en} } @article{SchueringsNevskyiEliaschetal.2016, author = {Sch{\"u}rings, Marco-Philipp and Nevskyi, Oleksii and Eliasch, Kamill and Michel, Ann-Katrin and Liu, Bing and Pich, Andrij and B{\"o}ker, Alexander and von Plessen, Gero and W{\"o}ll, Dominik}, title = {Diffusive Motion of Linear Microgel Assemblies in Solution}, series = {Polymers}, volume = {8}, journal = {Polymers}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2073-4360}, doi = {10.3390/polym8120413}, pages = {14}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Due to the ability of microgels to rapidly contract and expand in response to external stimuli, assemblies of interconnected microgels are promising for actuation applications, e.g., as contracting fibers for artificial muscles. Among the properties determining the suitability of microgel assemblies for actuation are mechanical parameters such as bending stiffness and mobility. Here, we study the properties of linear, one-dimensional chains of poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) microgels dispersed in water. They were fabricated by utilizing wrinkled surfaces as templates and UV-cross-linking the microgels. We image the shapes of the chains on surfaces and in solution using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and fluorescence microscopy, respectively. In solution, the chains are observed to execute translational and rotational diffusive motions. Evaluation of the motions yields translational and rotational diffusion coefficients and, from the translational diffusion coefficient, the chain mobility. The microgel chains show no perceptible bending, which yields a lower limit on their bending stiffness.}, language = {en} } @article{SechiFreitasWuennemannetal.2016, author = {Sechi, Antonio and Freitas, Joana M. G. and W{\"u}nnemann, Patrick and T{\"o}pel, Alexander and Paschoalin, Rafaella Takehara and Ullmann, Sabrina and Schr{\"o}der, Ricarda and Aydin, G{\"u}lcan and R{\"u}tten, Stephan and B{\"o}ker, Alexander and Zenke, Martin and Pich, Andrij}, title = {Surface-Grafted Nanogel Arrays Direct Cell Adhesion and Motility}, series = {Advanced materials interfaces}, volume = {3}, journal = {Advanced materials interfaces}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {2196-7350}, doi = {10.1002/admi.201600455}, pages = {13}, year = {2016}, abstract = {It has long been appreciated that material chemistry and topology profoundly affect cell adhesion and migration. Here, aqueous poly(N- isopropyl acrylamide) nanogels are designed, synthesized and printed in form of colloidal arrays on glass substrates using wrinkled polydimethylsiloxane templates. Using low-temperature plasma treatment, nanogels are chemically grafted onto glass supports thus leading to highly stable nanogel layers in cell culture media. Liquid cell atomic force microscopy investigations show that surface-grafted nanogels retain their swelling behavior in aqueous media and that extracellular matrix protein coating do not alter their stability and topography. It is demonstrated that surface-grafted nanogels could serve as novel substrates for the analysis of cell adhesion and migration. Nanogels influence size, speed, and dynamics of focal adhesions and cell motility forcing cells to move along highly directional trajectories. Moreover, modulation of nanogel state or spacing serves as an effective tool for regulation of cell motility. It is suggested that nanogel arrays deposited on solid surfaces could be used to provide a precise and tunable system to understand and control cell migration. Additionally, such nanogel arrays will contribute to the development of implantable systems aimed at supporting and enhancing cell migration during, for instance, wound healing and tissue regeneration.}, language = {en} } @article{WagnerLazarSchnakenbergetal.2016, author = {Wagner, Tom and Lazar, Jaroslav and Schnakenberg, Uwe and B{\"o}ker, Alexander}, title = {In situ Electrothemical Impedance Spectroscopy of Electrostatically Driven Selective Gold Nanoparticle Adsorption on Block Copolymer Lamellae}, series = {Trials}, volume = {8}, journal = {Trials}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1944-8244}, doi = {10.1021/acsami.6b07708}, pages = {27282 -- 27290}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Electrostatic attraction between charged nano particles and oppositely charged nanopatterned polymeric films enables tailored structuring of functional nanoscopic surfaces. The bottom-up fabrication of organic/inorganic composites for example bears promising potential toward cheap fabrication of catalysts, optical sensors, and the manufacture of miniaturized electric circuitry. However, only little is known about the time-dependent adsorption behavior and the electronic or ionic charge transfer in the film bulk and at interfaces during nanoparticle assembly via electrostatic interactions. In situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in combination with a microfluidic system for fast and reproducible liquid delivery was thus applied to monitor the selective deposition of negatively charged gold nanoparticles on top of positively charged poly(2-vinylpyridinium) (qP2VP) domains of phase separated lamellar poly(styrene)-block-poly(2-vinylpyridinium) (PS-b-qP2VP) diblock copolymer thin films. The acquired impedance data delivered information with respect to interfacial charge alteration, ionic diffusion, and the charge dependent nanoparticle adsorption kinetics, considering this yet unexplored system. We demonstrate that the selective adsorption of negatively charged gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on positively charged qP2VP domains of lamellar PS-b-qP2VP thin films can indeed be tracked by EIS. Moreover, we show that the nanoparticle adsorption kinetics and the nanoparticle packing density are functions of the charge density in the qP2VP domains.}, language = {en} } @article{WuGlebeBoeker2016, author = {Wu, Lei and Glebe, Ulrich and B{\"o}ker, Alexander}, title = {Synthesis of Hybrid Silica Nanoparticles Densely Grafted with Thermo and pH Dual-Responsive Brushes via Surface-Initiated ATRP}, series = {Macromolecules : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, volume = {49}, journal = {Macromolecules : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0024-9297}, doi = {10.1021/acs.macromol.6b01792}, pages = {9586 -- 9596}, year = {2016}, language = {en} } @article{WuennemannNoyongKreuelsetal.2016, author = {Wuennemann, Patrick and Noyong, Michael and Kreuels, Klaus and Bruex, Roland and Gordiichuk, Pavlo and van Rijn, Patrick and Plamper, Felix A. and Simon, Ulrich and B{\"o}ker, Alexander}, title = {Microstructured Hydrogel Templates for the Formation of Conductive Gold Nanowire Arrays}, series = {Macromolecular rapid communications}, volume = {37}, journal = {Macromolecular rapid communications}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1022-1336}, doi = {10.1002/marc.201600287}, pages = {1446 -- 1452}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Microstructured hydrogel allows for a new template-guided method to obtain conductive nanowire arrays on a large scale. To generate the template, an imprinting process is used in order to synthesize the hydrogel directly into the grooves of wrinkled polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The resulting poly(N-vinylimidazole)-based hydrogel is defined by the PDMS stamp in pattern and size. Subsequently, tetrachloroaurate(III) ions from aqueous solution are coordinated within the humps of the N-vinylimidazole-containing polymer template and reduced by air plasma. After reduction and development of the gold, to achieve conductive wires, the extension perpendicular to the long axis (width) of the gold strings is considerably reduced compared to the dimension of the parental hydrogel wrinkles (from approximate to 1 mu m down to 200-300 nm). At the same time, the wire-to-wire distance and the overall length of the wires is preserved. The PDMS templates and hydrogel structures are analyzed with scanning force microscopy (SFM) and the gold structures via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The conductivity measurements of the gold nanowires are performed in situ in the SEM, showing highly conductive gold leads. Hence, this method can be regarded as a facile nonlithographic top-down approach from micrometer-sized structures to nanometer-sized features.}, language = {en} } @article{ZhouWuennemannKuhnetal.2016, author = {Zhou, Qihui and Wuennemann, Patrick and Kuhn, Philipp Till and de Vries, Joop and Helmin, Marta and B{\"o}ker, Alexander and van Kooten, Theo G. and van Rijn, Patrick}, title = {Mechanical Properties of Aligned Nanotopologies for Directing Cellular Behavior}, series = {Advanced materials interfaces}, volume = {3}, journal = {Advanced materials interfaces}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {2196-7350}, doi = {10.1002/admi.201600275}, pages = {10}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Tailoring cell-surface interactions is important for the of design medical implants as well as regenerative medicine and tissue engineering materials. Here the single parameter system is transcended via translating hard nanotopology into soft polymeric hydrogel structures via hydrogel imprinting lithography. The response of these cells to the nanotopology of the same dimensions but with different mechanical properties displays unexpected behavior between "hard" tissue cells and "soft" tissue cells.}, language = {en} }