Method for synthesizing an enzyme-catalyzed polymerized monolayer

US5143828A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army · US
• University of Massachusetts Lowell · US

Inventors

• Joseph A. Akkara · Holliston, US
• David L. Kaplan · Seattle, US
• Lynne A. Samuelson · Marlborough, US
• Braja K. Mandal · Springfield, US
• Sukant K. Tripathy · Acton, US
• Ferdinando Bruno · Andover, US
• Kenneth A. Marx

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 31, 1991
• Grant date: Sep 1, 1992
• Expiry date: Dec 31, 2011

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12P13/001
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method for synthesizing enzyme-catalyzed polymers using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. In one embodiment, the process comprises spreading one or more enzyme-polymerizable monomers on a water-miscible solvent. The monomers are sufficiently surface active that they align themselves on the air-solvent interface. Next, pressure is applied to the interface to form a monolayer made up of the monomers. An enzyme is then introduced into the solvent, causing polymerization of the monomers in the monolayer. The polymeric monolayers produced by the present method are easier to process and have reduced cross-linking and branching as compared to similar polymers produced in bulk by enzyme-catalyzed reactions.