Engineering biomimetic lubrication with mucin (2015-2017)
Abstract
Engineering coatings for water to be an effective lubricant is a significant challenge. We seek to emulate how nature builds highly lubricating water-rich polymer films on biological surfaces. This will be achieved by directing the self-assembly of mucin macromolecules onto polymer brushes attached to a substrate, and then cross-linking the constituents to obtain a hydrated gel-like lubricating coating. This research will provide new insights on the mechanisms by which mucin-rich fluids lubricate and protect biosurfaces, which is important to human health, nutrition and well-being. It will also lead to new discoveries for engineering surface coatings for biomaterials and nanomaterials.
