266
carbohydrate-binding proteins, based on amidation reaction with amino-polyhedral
oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS), while a more efficient synthetic route for a variety of POSS-based glycoclusters, by photoaddition of thiols to vinyl was reported
by Gao et al. (2004).
The biomaterial applications of POSS have been reviewed by Wu and Mather
(2009). The relatively easy preparation of POSS functionalized with several organic
groups, such as -COOH, -NH 2 , -OH or -SH opens up promising perspectives for
application in DNA/gene delivery, DNA/protein detection and drug delivery.
Majumdar et al. (2010) investigated quaternary ammonium functionalized-POSS
with antimicrobial activity in PDMS coatings. These types of materials have been
designed as molecular platforms for biomedical applications such as a bifunctional
luminescent POSS carrying fluorescein and carboxylic groups, suitable to anchor
different organic compounds (contrast agents, drugs, dyes, markers) (Olivero et al.
2012). Interestingly, Olivero et al. (2012) reported that dye emission increased four
times after the reaction with POSS, which made this compound very promising as a
contrast agent. In addition, efficient and selective cell uptake of these materials was
demonstrated.
In general, sol-gel materials have multiple biomedical applications (Avnir et al.
2006). In particular, functionalized silica can show very interesting properties for
this purpose. Sui et al. (2005) reported that a sol-gel matrix containing biocompatible silane precursors and covalently bound sugar moieties showed high biocompatibility for protein entrapment. Liang et al. (2005) also demonstrated a sol-gel based
immunosensor for the amperometric detection of hepatitis B with a gold/silica/antibodies composite. This latter was achieved due to the self-assembly of gold NPs
into a thiol containing sol-gel networks.
The gelatin-siloxane NPs were obtained by Tian et al. (2012) via reaction of
epoxy functional alkoxysilane with the amino groups in gelatin, followed by further
functionalization with PEG and modification with cell permeable peptides. These
authors discovered that these hybrid NP systems improve the plasmid DNA transfection efficiency, being membrane-penetrable and crossing the blood-brain barrier
for the delivery of a drug to its target site in the brain.
In addition to ensuring optimal oxygen permeability, silicone hydrogel contact
lenses have demonstrated good efficacy and safety as therapeutic lenses (Sindt
2007). Silicone lenses must meet a series of comfort requirements in terms of
mechanical and surface properties, oxygen transmissibility and hydration. Silicone
hydrogels as contact lenses are based on silicone rubber combined with conventional hydrogel hydrophilic monomers, and special care has to be taken as to minimize the consequences of inherent phase separation, in order to obtain transparent
materials with target properties (Jones and Tighe 2004). In addition, they can incorporate a permanent biocompatible plasma surface treatment for a smooth and continuous surface that resists deposits (Young and Tapper 2007). The equilibrium
water content (EWC), internal morphologies, light transmittance, mechanical properties and oxygen permeability coefficient (Dk) were investigated by Tao et al.
(2017) on silicone hydrogels obtained from mixtures of hydrophilic monomers
(hydroxypropyl methacrylate, N,N-dimethylacrylamide and N-vinylpyrrolidone),
C. Racles et al.
carbohydrate-binding proteins, based on amidation reaction with amino-polyhedral
oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS), while a more efficient synthetic route for a variety of POSS-based glycoclusters, by photoaddition of thiols to vinyl was reported
by Gao et al. (2004).
The biomaterial applications of POSS have been reviewed by Wu and Mather
(2009). The relatively easy preparation of POSS functionalized with several organic
groups, such as -COOH, -NH 2 , -OH or -SH opens up promising perspectives for
application in DNA/gene delivery, DNA/protein detection and drug delivery.
Majumdar et al. (2010) investigated quaternary ammonium functionalized-POSS
with antimicrobial activity in PDMS coatings. These types of materials have been
designed as molecular platforms for biomedical applications such as a bifunctional
luminescent POSS carrying fluorescein and carboxylic groups, suitable to anchor
different organic compounds (contrast agents, drugs, dyes, markers) (Olivero et al.
2012). Interestingly, Olivero et al. (2012) reported that dye emission increased four
times after the reaction with POSS, which made this compound very promising as a
contrast agent. In addition, efficient and selective cell uptake of these materials was
demonstrated.
In general, sol-gel materials have multiple biomedical applications (Avnir et al.
2006). In particular, functionalized silica can show very interesting properties for
this purpose. Sui et al. (2005) reported that a sol-gel matrix containing biocompatible silane precursors and covalently bound sugar moieties showed high biocompatibility for protein entrapment. Liang et al. (2005) also demonstrated a sol-gel based
immunosensor for the amperometric detection of hepatitis B with a gold/silica/antibodies composite. This latter was achieved due to the self-assembly of gold NPs
into a thiol containing sol-gel networks.
The gelatin-siloxane NPs were obtained by Tian et al. (2012) via reaction of
epoxy functional alkoxysilane with the amino groups in gelatin, followed by further
functionalization with PEG and modification with cell permeable peptides. These
authors discovered that these hybrid NP systems improve the plasmid DNA transfection efficiency, being membrane-penetrable and crossing the blood-brain barrier
for the delivery of a drug to its target site in the brain.
In addition to ensuring optimal oxygen permeability, silicone hydrogel contact
lenses have demonstrated good efficacy and safety as therapeutic lenses (Sindt
2007). Silicone lenses must meet a series of comfort requirements in terms of
mechanical and surface properties, oxygen transmissibility and hydration. Silicone
hydrogels as contact lenses are based on silicone rubber combined with conventional hydrogel hydrophilic monomers, and special care has to be taken as to minimize the consequences of inherent phase separation, in order to obtain transparent
materials with target properties (Jones and Tighe 2004). In addition, they can incorporate a permanent biocompatible plasma surface treatment for a smooth and continuous surface that resists deposits (Young and Tapper 2007). The equilibrium
water content (EWC), internal morphologies, light transmittance, mechanical properties and oxygen permeability coefficient (Dk) were investigated by Tao et al.
(2017) on silicone hydrogels obtained from mixtures of hydrophilic monomers
(hydroxypropyl methacrylate, N,N-dimethylacrylamide and N-vinylpyrrolidone),
C. Racles et al.