BIOCOM (Biocompatiple Conductive Polymers for Medical Applications)

BIOCOM represents a LIT-Young Researcher Project that will develop novel conductive composites using biocompatible and non-toxic materials for biomedical applications.

Conductive polymers (CPs) is an emerging research field for biomedical applications such as biomedicine, biosensing and implantable electronic devices. Bioelectronics combine the advantage of the inherent properties of conducting polymers and soft organic electronics to interface with biological systems. The first fundamental requirement is mixed ionic-electronic conductors (MIECs) which plays a critical role for designing new molecules and device modelling. Among other MIECs, Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is still the most studied p-type (hole transport) CP and remains as benchmark material in the field of bioelectronics due to its conductivity, processability, and commercial availability. However, PEDOT:PSS faces several obstacles such as deterioration of electrical conductivity and delamination from surface by water immersion, as well as its low bio-functionality. Additionally, there is limited number of studies for the long-term biocompatibility.

BIOCOM aims to prepare novel conductive polymer composites as p-type MIECs comprising bio molecules as counter ion by evolving facile “Green” synthesis in aqueous solution at low temperatures. The unique molecule structure relates on the electrically conductive polymers (p-doped) which are stabilized by negatively charged bio polymers as polyanion. In this framework, new composite materials should preserve the outstanding characteristics of PEDOT:PSS such as conductivity, thin-film formation from aqueous solution. The incorporation of biomolecules into the co-polymer system can enhance the biocompatibility and their performance will be tested as new functional smart materials towards bio-medical applications. Moreover, bio-functionalization of conducting polymers can be a key advantage to add specific functionality at biointerface in biomedical tools where they interact with living cells or target bioanalytes. The functional bio-layers and/or biosystems integrated devices can be utilized for biomolecular detection in biosensing applications. We propose this as new strategy for the material development for biomedical devices.

1) Im Konzept der Systeme und der Technologien für die Menschen, kann BIOCOM neue Biomaterialien zur digitalen Gesundheitsüberwachung und Werkzeuge für das Gesundheitswesen kreieren.

2) Derzeitige Lage der existenten Technologie: Die Probleme beziehen sich auf der limitierten Biokompatibilität und der Langzeitstabilität der Biomaterialien im Gebiet der Bioelektronik

3) Im vorgeschlagenen Projekt, wird erwartet, dass biokompatible Biomaterialien die Schlüssellösung für zukünftige biomedizinische Gerätschaften sind

1.12.2023 - 30.11.2025