(7x) Tough Gradient Double Network Hydrogels for Artificial Implants

Gradient material exhibits a continuous variation in any of its physical or chemical properties. For example, tendons, fibrous tissues found in our bodies, illustrate naturally occurring gradient materials; they exhibit a continuous change in modulus, which assists them to achieve efficient connectivity between soft muscle tissues and hard bones. Mimicking such gradients using synthetic hydrogels with tunable stiffness will have a tremendous impact on the development of medical implants. The research program that I envision to develop in my research group will explore new methods for generating tough gradient hydrogels. The strategy will be to synthesize double network hydrogels (DN) by incorporating degradable network strands, wherein the first network can be degraded under acidic conditions while maintaining the second network intact. Such a system will also allow for complete characterization of DN strands after their formation by selective degradation of either one of the two networks to examine the network properties of the other gel. After gaining fundamental insights into the structure of DN, the project will focus on the development of gradient DN (gDN), demonstrating a continuous variation in their network density and modulus. A key advantage of gDN is that a single specimen can be used to investigate the effect of varying a given parameter systematically (e.g., elasticity or molecular concentration). I am also interested in exploring the non-thrombogenic coatings, and the detection method for thrombi formation in blood contacting devices, e.g., left ventricular assist devices (VADs). VADs are used as life support for many patients with heart failure or those waiting for the heart transplantation, which can take months to several years. This project will develop a new technique to target platelets using biocompatible microbubbles (MBs) as ultrasound contrast agents. Such a noninvasive and low-cost molecular imaging technique will have a tremendous impact on the blood contacting device industry, where monitoring thrombus formation (in-vivo) is of utmost importance.

Selected Publications

• C. K. Pandiyarajan and Jan Genzer, Effect of Network Density in Surface-Anchored Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogels on Adsorption of Fibrinogen, Langmuir 2017, 33, 1974-1983 (Link).
• C. K. Pandiyarajan, Michael Rubinstein, and Jan Genzer, Surface-Anchored Poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide) Orthogonal Gradient Networks, Macromolecules 2016, 49 (14), 5076-5083 (Link).
• C. K. Pandiyarajan, Oswald Prucker, and Jürgen Rühe, Humidity Driven Swelling of the Surface Attached Poly (N-alkylacrylamide) Networks, Macromolecules 2016, 49 (21), 8254-8264 (Link).
• C. K. Pandiyarajan, Biofunctionalized Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering, Advanced Science News: Regenerative Medicines, 2016 (Link)
• C. K. Pandiyarajan, Oswald Prucker, Barbara Zieger, and Jürgen Rühe, Influence of the Molecular Structure of Surface-Attached poly (N-alkylacrylamide) Coatings on Blood Platelet Adhesion, Macromolecular Bioscience, 2013, 13, 873-884 (Link).
• C. K. Pandiyarajan, Oswald Prucker, Barbara Zieger, and Jürgen Rühe, Macromolecular Bioscience, 2013, 13, 7, 817 [Front cover page, Link].

Teaching Interests:

I am qualified and happy to teach undergraduate courses on Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Thermodynamics. For graduate students, considering my previous experiences, I can teach advanced courses on Polymer at Interfaces, Proteins at Interfaces, Molecular Spectroscopies and Surface-Analytical Tools (SPR, OWS, ATR and TOF-SIMS) to mention a few.