MSc in Molecular and Macromolecular Sciences

Presenter: Krystof Wigmore

Title of the Thesis: “Development of Polymeric Inserts for the Stabilization of Enzymes”

Proteins are essential macromolecules with various functions, such as hemoglobin for oxygen transport and collagen for structural support. Enzymes, a type of functional protein, speed up chemical reactions and are important in biological, industrial, and in research settings. To function properly, enzymes must maintain their folded, tertiary structure. If unfolded, often due to external factors like heat, enzymes may aggregate and become inactive. This is a major concern in the processes involved in food industries and for pharmaceutical production, where temperature fluctuations are common. To address this, materials that inhibit enzyme aggregation are needed. Herein, vitamin B5 analogous methacrylamide (B5AMA) was used to synthesize polymeric constructs: nanogels (P(B5AMA)-NG), hydrogels (P(B5AMA)-HG), coated vials (P(B5AMA)-Vials), and silica nanoparticles (P(B5AMA-NG)-SiO2). These constructs were characterized and tested for their ability to protect lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and esterase from heat-induced aggregation of proteins. Our results demonstrate that B5AMA like materials can serve as external chaperones and prevent the aggregation of enzymes at elevated temperatures.

April 30, 2025, 2:00 pm in Don and Marion McDougall Hall, Room 328

Everyone is welcome