Nanoparticle-loaded bioactive hydrogels

Laser-induced sub 100 nm structures were prepared on silicon, thoroughly characterized, and the process of their formation was elucidated. They were used as substrates for a controlled deposition of calcium phosphate nanoparticles by electrophoretic deposition. Calcium phosphate nanoparticles are used as carriers for biomolecules such as nucleic acid for transfection or gene silencing in the context of gene therapy. It is important to apply only a defined quantity of nanoparticles and nucleic acids to a given cell culture or tissue. A defined number of nanoparticles were deposited onto a ripple structured silicon surface by electrophoretic deposition Alginate beads were then rolled on this surface allowing the nanoparticles to adsorb onto the surface of the alginate bead. This resulted in alginate beads with a defined quantity of particles and biomolecules on their surface. The effect of calcium phosphate nanoparticle-coated alginate beads on cells was studied by the hanging drop method.