Biomaterial biotechnology using self‐assembled lipid microstructures

AbstractLipids are a class of molecules which self‐assemble into a variety of phase‐dependent morphologies. We have employed self‐assembled lipid microstructures in the development of a number of biomedical material applications. The blood substitute, liposome encapsulated hemoglobin, is being investigated for the in vivo delivery of hemoglobil without many of the inherent tmxicities associated the delivery of free hemoglobin. This investigation is currently focused on demonstrations of efficacy in stressed animal models and on the safety of adminstering this material in models of sepsis. The synthetic modification of phospholipids to include photopolymerizable moieties such as diacetylenes has resulted in the spontaneous self‐assembly of a hollow micpocylinder which we are investigating fop the controlled release of growth factors in soft tissue regeneration. Self‐assembled mmnolayeps are also being explored for the ability to surface modify biomaterials for improved cell adhesion. Photolithographic techniques have been combined with monolayep deposition to facbriaate coplanar pattern of cell adhesion ald inhibiting moieties. This results in the ability to spatially control the ad