DAHAD · Dual Antibacterial Hydrogel ADhesives

Nowadays, available surgical skin closure techniques still remain painful and are prone to infections. To assess these challenges, DAHAD aims to develop new hydrogels with a dual action: biological tissues adhesion and antibacterial activity. The hydrogels will be prepared by the gelation of biomimetic dendrimer-polymer hybrids in aqueous solutions. These hybrids will be composed of a central linear polymer, namely Pluronic® F-127, decorated at its extremities with multiple biomimetic catechol moieties to confer biological adhesive properties to the gels. The hydrogels will be loaded with diverse hydrophilic and lipophilic antibiotics to locally deliver them into the surgical site and prevent infections. DAHAD contemplates (i) the organic synthesis of the dendrimer-polymer hybrids, (ii) the hydrogels preparation and the study of their adhesiveness, physicochemical characterization and thermo-responsiveness (iii) the drug delivery of hydrophilic and lipophilic antibiotics throughout the hydrogels by direct diffusion or assisted by micellar nanoparticles and their skin biocompatibility (iv) and the back loop enhancement of the gelation abilities, adhesion and drug delivery results using hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) supramolecular chemistry.DAHAD is built as a multidisciplinary and international project along which the Purdue University (USA), the Universidad de Zaragoza (Spain) and the Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (Spain) will combine their efforts and expertise to pursue the planned R&I objectives, as well as the dissemination of the results to scientific, industrial and public audiences. It aims to boost the applicant’s career, to complement the expertise of INMA in biomaterials for medical applications and be the kick-starter of a solid, international and successful collaborative network.