Physical and Biological Properties of Glycolipids and Bacterial Cellulose
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Authors
Liu, Fei
Issue Date
2018-05
Type
Electronic thesis
Thesis
Thesis
Language
ENG
Keywords
Chemistry
Alternative Title
Abstract
This thesis includes bioproduction, characterization, development, application and mechanism studies of two biomaterials/bioproducts, bacterial cellulose (BC) and sophorolipids (SLs). The thesis seeks to introduce bioproducts to novel applications, by investigating the principles or mechanisms behind and optimizing the performance or activity. In the first part, we have established a facile and effective bioproduction method for ultra-thin bacterial cellulose mats with predictable thickness at nanometer scale. The BC mat was designed for new optical applications, including transparent fiber substrate providing large surface area, and antireflection coating (ARC) on silicon wafer which demonstrated broadband, interference type antireflection property. The ultra-thin BC was further modified by trihexylsilylation to achieve hydrophobicity, which is essential for silicon solar cell ARC outdoor. The discipline behind was investigated on thickness and density gradient (orientation of BC mat). In the second part of the thesis, a new family of sophorolipid derivatives with diversified structure was studied for their potential as antimicrobial agents. Structure-activity relationship and membrane depolarization study was carried out on different chain length and acetylation degree. Other than single drug therapy, one of the sophorolipids, SL hexyl ester, was designed for multidrug therapy in combination with antimicrobial peptides. This approach effectively potentiates and broadens the spectrum of antimicrobial peptide. The knowledge of synergy mechanism was studied, which contributes to the rational design of novel therapies combating resistance, and against persister cells. The thesis also provides strategies and concept for future directions.
Description
May 2018
School of Science
School of Science
Full Citation
Publisher
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY