title: Polypeptide multilayer films.
abstract: Research on polypeptide multilayer films, coatings, and microcapsules is located at the intersection of several disciplines: synthetic polymer chemistry and physics, biomaterials science, and nanoscale engineering. The past few years have witnessed considerable growth in each of these areas. Unexplored territory has been found at the borders, and new possibilities for technology development are taking form from technological advances in polypeptide production, sequencing of the human genome, and the nature of peptides themselves. Most envisioned applications of polypeptide multilayers have a biomedical bent. Prospects seem no less positive, however, in fields ranging from food technology to environmental science. This review of the present state of polypeptide multilayer film research covers key points of polypeptides as materials, means of polymer production and film preparation, film characterization methods, focal points of current research in basic science, and the outlook for a few specific applications. In addition, it discusses how the study of polypeptide multilayer films could help to clarify the physical basis of assembly and stability of polyelectrolyte multilayers, and mention is made of similarities to protein folding studies.
authors.affiliation: Bionanosystems Engineering Laboratory, Center for Applied Physics Studies, College of Engineering & Science, Louisiana Tech University, PO Box 10348, Ruston, Louisiana 71272, USA. haynie@latech.edu
authors.forename: Donald T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Haynie
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jai S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Rudra
authors.forename: Wanhua
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Naveen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Palath
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000327:Adsorption; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002627:Chemistry, Physical / Q000379:methods; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004573:Electrolytes; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008422:Materials Testing; D008863:Microspheres; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry; D016011:Normal Distribution; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D017510:Protein Folding; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D012984:Software; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004573:Electrolytes; D010455:Peptides; D011108:Polymers