Laboratory Capabilities

With multifunctional laboratories, as well as dedicated manufacturing facilities, our research and development capabilities include synthesis of new chemicals, development of coating technologies, testing of coatings at a biological interface such as cells, bacteria or tissue, and more.

Our lab routinely cultures and works
with the following cell types

Astrocyte
Rat hippocampal cultures on PDL coated coverslips at D14
Human mesenchymal stem cells
hiPSC-derived neural progenitor cells

In-House Capabilities

Western Blot
Our labs perform western blotting in house. We have the expertise to detect relative protein expression as well as total protein expression using our setup. The image to the left shows a PVDF membrane with GAPDH positive bands alongside a molecular ladder. The isolate is extracted from a hippocampal rat culture cell line.
ELISA
We have expertise in designing, performing and interpreting ELISAs. Currently focused on in-house R&D of a line of synthetic combination passivating/chemically activating coatings known collectively as ISurBlock. ISurBlock solution can act both as a non-animal sourced BSA substitute and as a platform for chemically bonding biomacromolecules that are components of the ELISA assay.
PCR and Gel Electrophoresis
We do routine PCR experiments to detect gene expression. Our labs are equipped with thermal cyclers as well as equipment for performing gel electrophoresis in-house. The image to the left shows the results of a mycoplasma screen on an agarose gel. The PCR products are from human mesenchymal stem cells.
Bacterial Culture
At ISurTec, we perform microbiological assays on our coated surfaces. We test for adherence of microbes to the surface as well as microbicidal effects of drug release. The image to the left is a Kirby-Bauer zone of inhibition test demonstrating a bacteria-free zone from moxifloxacin release in the upper section of a Mueller-Hinton plate with E. coli.

Photochemistry

Photochemistry uses light to cause chemical reactions. All things absorb different wavelengths of light, giving them their color. The energy in that light can also be used to break and reform chemical bonds if the light and the chemical are chosen correctly.

An example of this type of reaction is a photoinitiator. After absorbing light, a chemical bond can break homolytically to form two radicals. The radicals can react with monomers to polymerize or they can react with another radical to reform covalent bonds.

Photochemistry Synthesis Lab

Similarly, other photoreactive molecules can absorb light to enter an excited state in which they act as pseudo-diradicals. In this state the molecules can abstract hydrogen atoms, creating radicals on otherwise unreactive molecules. If the radicals are on a polymer or polymeric substrate, they can recombine, forming covalent bonds in a process called crosslinking. These new carbon-carbon bonds are strong and provide durability to the crosslinked material.

Benzoyl peroxide photoinitiation of methylmethacrylate polymerization

Photochemistry

Dip Coating Method

Spray Coating Method

At ISurTec, we have successfully coated catheters (PTCA, balloon, drainage, urinary, etc.), guidewires, stents, shunts, and many other types of medical devices of various geometries. Common substrates include: PEBAX, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE), polystyrene, polyurethane, PVC, PEEK, silicone rubber, as well as glass and metal substrates.
ISurTec has a climate-controlled electrospinning apparatus that can fabricate a range of fiber diameters and orientations from both natural and synthetic fibers.

Overview

The electrospinning technique utilizes an applied current to “draw” long, thin threads from a charged polymer solution

The mandrel (right) rotates and the nozzle (left) horizontally translates as a jet of polymer solution travels from the nozzle to the mandrel via applied high voltage. The solution reaches the mandrel as a polymer fiber to create a non-woven scaffold (pop-out).

Optimization

Optimizing the spinning parameters can create polymer mats with fiber diameters from 200 nm to 2 μm in diameter. We can manufacture randomly oriented and axially aligned fibrous mats with optimized pore size and fiber diameter for a range of applications.

Versatility

Range of Polymers: Synthetic
Polystyrene
Polycaprolactone
Poly (ethylene terephthalate)
Range of Polymers: Natural and Photoreactive (using ISurTec’s photochemistry)
Chitosan
Photoreactive Poly(ethylene terethpthalate)
ISurTec also utilizes our proprietary photochemistry to create photoreactive nanofibers. This enables the immobilization of growth factors and proteins on the surface of the scaffolds.
ISurTec is developing this capture technology as printed ink to pattern neural scaffolds for directed tissue architecture in drug development assays.

Fabrication

IME Technologies Electrospinner
Epilog CO2 Laser Cutter