title: Protein-based ferrogels.
abstract: We present a novel synthesis in which hemoglobin and Fe(2+) react, in the presence of KNO3 and KOH, to produce protein microgels that contain magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. The synthesis results in microgels with polymer properties (denaturing and glass transition temperatures) that are consistent with the dried protein. The iron oxide nanoparticles that exhibit an average diameter of 22nm, are ferrimagnetic, and display properties consistent with Fe3O4. The multiple functional capabilities displayed by these materials: biocompatibility, magnetism, dye uptake and controlled release, and other properties archetypal of hydrogels, will make the magnetic hydrogels attractive for a number of biomedical applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016, United States.
authors.forename: Puja
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mody
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016, United States.
authors.forename: Cassidy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016, United States.
authors.forename: Siena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016, United States.
authors.forename: Mariam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Magbri
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016, United States.
authors.forename: Moira M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Esson
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016, United States.
authors.forename: Trisha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ibeh
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, United States.
authors.forename: Elizabeth D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Knowlton
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, United States.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, United States.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016, United States. Electronic address: hartings@american.edu.
authors.forename: Matthew R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Hartings
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D005782:Gels; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000737:chemistry*; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry*; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D006454:Hemoglobins; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D007501:Iron
keywords: Hydrogel; Magnetic nanoparticle; Polymer microgel; Protein microgel