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Functional nanomaterial assemblies for biological systems

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posted on 2023-12-04, 12:02 authored by Christopher J. Brown

Layered nanomaterial technologies have enabled numerous advances in biological systems, and present exciting opportunities to solve some of the foremost biological issues that humanity faces. There are still, however, many challenges that nanobiotechnology faces. The majority of the nanomaterial assemblies currently reported are synthesised using processing techniques that are expensive, unscaleable, and not environmentally friendly; inhibiting their use in real-world applications. For a new nanomaterial technology to emerge as a practicable solution within nanobiotechnology, it should offer a solution to these processing issues, whilst still presenting the novel properties that nanomaterials exhibit due to their nanoscale structure. To this end, the work discussed in this thesis presents just such solutions for functional nanomaterial assemblies. It is vitally important to be able to tune the nano-, micro-, and macro-scale properties of nanomaterial assemblies; this level of control can provide opportunities to develop accurate but simplified in vitro facsimiles of real tissues, in order to elucidate complex cell behaviours. Three-dimensional assemblies provide a better representation of the extra cellular matrix than is attainable with two-dimensional substrates. This work describes the development of a highly tuneable synthetic three-dimensional porous assembly of reduced graphene oxide, as well as observations of spontaneous interconnectivity in glioblastoma grown as monoculture on these scaffolds. Whilst more accurate models, three-dimensional assemblies can prove impractical in certain areas. Two-dimensional substrates are more imageable, and easier to probe electrically. Two-dimensional substrates are therefore an exciting prospect for sensing and biological imaging. Currently, these substrates are not scaleable or sustainable to produce. This work describes a simple, one-step route to scaleable and bio-compatible substrates from surfactant-exfoliated nanomaterial dispersions, whilst avoiding syntheses that are particularly harmful to the environment. The ability of nanobiotechnology to utilise layered nanomaterials in these more tuneable, scaleable, and sustainable ways will enable novel theranostic technologies against devastating diseases.

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File Version

  • Published version

Pages

167

Department affiliated with

  • Physics and Astronomy Theses

Qualification level

  • doctoral

Qualification name

  • phd

Language

  • eng

Institution

University of Sussex

Full text available

  • Yes

Supervisor

Dr Alice King & Prof. Alan Dalton

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