Functional polymeric biomaterials
for controlling the functions of living systems

MATSUMURA Laboratory
Professor：MATSUMURA Kazuaki

E-mail：
［Research areas］
Polymer Biomaterials.
［Keywords］
Polyampholytes, Zwitterionic polymers, Drug delivery system, Tissue Engineering, Hydrogels, Cryopreservation

Skills and background we are looking for in prospective students

Basic knowledge of chemistry is necessary for chemistry-based development of biomaterials that will be used in living organisms. This also entails knowledge of biology and medical science. The multidisciplinary approach must include chemistry and polymer chemistry.

What you can expect to learn in this laboratory

Biomaterials research is an interdisciplinary activity that includes chemistry, biology, medicine, and physics. By learning about the highly controlled function of living organisms and continuing research aimed at creating materials to correct dysfunctional behaviors, a wide range of academic disciplines is covered. These include biology, medicine, physics, and chemistry.　
Research on biomaterials is a need-oriented research whose purpose is clear, so it is possible to simultaneously foster problem-solving skills, which is especially valuable for PhD students.

【Job category of graduates】
Chemical and Medical-device manufacturer, materials related companies

Research outline

Figure. Examples of the research topics.

Functional Biomaterials

The creation of functional polymers has been widely studied as an application in biomaterials and tissue-engineering materials. Functional polymers have many applications with regard to biomaterials. These include hydrogels, bioabsorbable materials, and artificial bones. Bulky soft materials and colloids, micelles, and even solutions can be studied as materials for controlling the functions of cells or tissues.

Cryoprotective Polymers

Polyampholytes are polymers that have both positive and negative ions in the same molecule. We have demonstrated that several kinds of polyampholytes have a cryoprotective effect on cells in solution. This interesting phenomenon is a characteristic of polymers with high electron charge, especially polyampholytes. We will investigate and develop membrane-protective materials that can control cell functions by clarifying the mechanisms underlying such effects. Polyampholytes can change their conformation by controlling the polyion complex and thus exhibit various interesting physicochemical properties. We will try to develop novel functional materials by investigating the interactions between living systems and these polymers and by exploiting the physicochemical properties of the polymers.

Tissue-Engineering Biomaterials and DDS Nanocarriers

Biodegradable polysaccharide hydrogels for tissue engineering and drug delivery systems (DDS) are also being developed. We developed a novel degradation technique for dextran and cellulose by the addition of amine compounds, and elucidated the mechanisms of degradation. These biodegradable materials can be useful as cell scaffolds and drug-delivery nanocarriers.

Biomaterials Well-matched to Living Systems

We also perform basic and applied research on materials that are well-matched to living systems. This research aims at regeneration of functions in tissue engineering. In particular, we are trying to develop a novel cell culture scaffold and articular cartilage using hydrogels with high mechanical properties. The research being performed in our laboratory fuses chemistry and biology through polymer chemistry, toward the development of materials that can control living systems.

Key publications

1. Yamasaki R, Rajan R, Matsumura K. Enhancement of cryopreservation with intracellularly permeable zwitterionic polymers. Chem. Comm. 59, 14001-14004 (2023)
2. Rajan R, Kumar N, Zhao D, Dai X, Kawamoto K, Matsumura K. Polyampholyte‐Based Polymer Hydrogels for the Long‐Term Storage, Protection and Delivery of Therapeutic Proteins. Adv. Healthc. Mater. 12, 2203253 (2023)
3. Kumar N, Oqmhula K, Hongo K, Takagi K, Yusa S, Rajan R, Matsumura K. Mechanistic insights and importance of hydrophobicity in cationic polymers for cancer therapy. J. Mater. Chem. B, 11, 1456-1468 (2023)

Equipment

UV-visible spectroscope, Fluorescence spectroscope, Cleanbench for cell culture, Incubator, Infrared resonance spectrometer, Differential scanning calorimeter, NMR