Dr. Francisco Miguel Portela da Gama of the University of Minho, Portugal will deliver a seminar on “Biomedical applications of bacterial cellulose and self-assembled nanogels," on 10 September 2010 at 2.00 pm. Organized by the Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology (CoEN), the seminar will be held in Room 102, at the Outreach Building at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).
Abstract:
Bacterial cellulose is a biomaterial with excellent mechanical properties, high water holding ability that can be produced with a pre-defined shape like tubular structures. The interaction with cells, biocompatibility and hemocompatibility has been analysed, aiming the development of suitable vascular prosthesis.
Nanogels were produced by grafting hydrophobic moieties on dextrin. The characterization of the self-assembled material was carried out by dynamic light scattering, Cryo-SEM and spectrofluorimetric techniques. The biocompatibility and biodistribution was also analysed. The potential for application as drug carriers, namely of biopharmaceuticals will be described."
About Dr. Francisco Miguel Portela da Gama:
Dr. Francisco Miguel Portela da Gama is Associate Professor at the Biological Department of University of Minho, Portugal. His current research interests include the development of biomaterials for biomedical applications, namely using nanostructured polyssaccharides. The development of formulations for vaccination purposes and of delivery systems for small hydrophobic molecules and therapeutic proteins are among the applications envisaged. Dr. Miguel Gama is the author of about 60 papers published in international journals, coordinating a research group on Nanobiotechnology with about 15 researchers.