A novel biofunctionalized nanofibrous membrane is developed through immobilization of protein ligands on the surface of nanofibers. The Biofunctionalization not only enhances the membrane's structural properties including mechanical and thermal ones, but also makes the membrane capable to separate nanoparticles and biomolecules much smaller than the pore size from water efficiently. Upon contact to water, the conformational change of the protein immobilized leads to its swelling thereby an enlarged functional surface area and a higher steric hindrance capturing the filtrates. In case filtration of a plasmonic nanoparticle containing suspension, decoration of the membrane with the plasmonic nanoparticles form a smart bionanocomposite biosensor for detection of protein denaturation.

Titania nanopillars with different heights and diameters (<100 nm) were patterned on titanium surfaces using a through-mask anodization technique. Two oral bacteria, that is, Streptococcus mitis (NCTC 10712) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (ATCC 25586), were used to study the bacterial attachment to nanopatterned titanium surfaces with and without saliva coating at different time points up to 4 h. The adhesion of both bacteria was decreased on 90-nm high nanopillars compared with both 15-nm high nanopillars and polished titanium surfaces, although this effect was significantly reduced with saliva coating, indicating a strong “masking” effect of saliva on nanotopography-mediated bacterial adhesion. The results demonstrate that nanopatterning may be used to control bacterial attachment to titanium implant surfaces, but it is evident that for oral implant applications, saliva coating may reduce the desired topographical cues.

Resorbable calcium phosphate fibers are of particular interest to reinforce biodegradable bone substitutes for load-bearing applications. The aim of the present study was to prepare calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (dHAp) whiskers with a molar Ca/P ratio of 1·5 by a hydrothermal synthesis and to transform them to β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) by a subsequent thermal treatment. For the hydrothermal synthesis, calcium tripolyphosphate was used and different amounts of 2-propanol were added to adjust the pH. Average whisker lengths of 160 µm were obtained at a 2-propanol content of 27 volume-percent. However, 33% dicalcium phosphate anhydrate (DCPA) were present as a secondary phase. The amount of DCPA could be reduced by increasing the amount of 2-propanol. Whisker samples consisting of 88% dHAp and 12% DCPA were selected to investigate microstructural changes and phase transformations during thermal treatment. Polycrystalline single phase -TCP short fibers were obtained after a thermal treatment at 1125°C.

Biomineralization in organisms is strictly regulated, and therefore, chemical compositions as well as crystal structures of the minerals are species specific. During the embryonic development, sea urchin larvae produce a calcite endoskeleton (spicules) that contains about 5% of Mg. For sea urchins and other organisms, it is assumed that Mg is important for the process of biomineralization and for the mechanical properties of the resulting biomineral. To study the influence of Mg on skeletal growth and on biomineral structure and composition, sea urchin larvae spicules were chosen as an in vivo test system. For this purpose, the Mg/Ca ratio was modified in the artificial seawater medium wherein sea urchin larvae were growing. It was shown that Mg deficiency during larval development caused morphology defects of the larvae and of their calcite spicules. The Mg distribution within the larvae skeleton was analyzed and found to be homogenous. An in vivo reduction of the Mg content influenced the mechanical performance of larval spicules (Young’s modulus and hardness). The investigations of larvae exposed to reduced Mg conditions highlight the important role Mg plays for sea urchin larvae development, biomineralization process and the resulting biomineral. The sea urchin larvae are presented as an ideal model to study different effects on larval development and morphology, especially on the biomineral properties.

Terrestrial isopods have developed a lightweight exoskeleton to the demands of different predation possibilities, for example fast escaping behavior (runner) to rolling into a ball to withstand external forces. However, detailed mechanical investigations onto them are not available yet. Therefore, the aim of this study is the characterization of the mechanical properties of different terrestrial isopods to create new biomimetic impact materials. Pill bugs and woodlice show a gradual change of the mechanical properties from the outer to the innermost part of the cuticle, which was measured by nanoindentation. These tests showed a young’s modulus of 10–30 GPa and a hardness from 0·1 GPa to more than 2·0 GPa in Porcellio scaber and a higher hardness in Armadillidium vulgare. These results will serve as basis for further biomimetic investigations.

At present, ligand binding to nanoparticle surface is the most widespread strategy for targeting specifi c tissues by a receptormediated mechanism. However, the nanoparticles are immediately covered by a protein-rich layer when administrated in vivo, the so-called “protein corona”, with the immediate consequence that the ligand-receptor recognition may be obscured. It is not the nanoparticle-bulk composition or surface functionalization but rather the identity, arrangement and residence time of the proteins of the corona that determine the nanoparticle bioidentity, and this is an emerging concept available for use to target specifi c cell types in a controlled manner. An in-depth understanding of the relationship between surface properties of nanoparticles and composition of the “protein corona” is a fundamental step toward the design of nanoparticles that, once in the blood, become covered by specifi c proteins able to deliver them at the right site of action and promote effi cient cell internalization. This “protein corona effect” is a formidable challenge that could lead to a complete renewal of the current strategies of targeted drug delivery.