Conformational switch

Temperature-induced conformational switch of PNIPAM

PNIPAM is a thermosensitive polymer that undergoes a reversible coil-to-globule conformational transition around its lower critical solution temperature (LCST), around 32°C. It switches from a hydrophilic, swollen state to a hydrophobic, collapsed state.

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PNIPAM-based immunoassay

Immunoassay based on the thermal precipitation of PNIPAM

The peculiar properties of PNIPAM make it possible to use this polymer as a support for immunoassays based on thermal precipitation.

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Cell culture

Cell culture on PNIPAM-grafted surfaces

PNIPAM-grafted surfaces can be used as a soft support for cell cultures. Cells grow on hydrophobic PNIPAM and are softly released by lowering the temperature and making the PNIPAM hydrophilic.

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Adsorption and release of proteins

Controlled adsorption and release of proteins on hydrophobic PNIPAM-grafted surfaces

The same way cells adsorb on hydrophobic PNIPAM surfaces, proteins may be reversibly trapped on PNIPAM surfaces, then released upon command. This is actually one of the things I did during my thesis.

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Licensing and reuse

All the source files are vector graphics, i.e. they can be resized at will without loss of quality or pixelation. They are released under a Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike license, which means you are free to use them, modify them, redistribute them for any purpose as long as you appropriately attribute them, and that you distribute any derivative works only under the same license.