NIH Reporter #1ZIAHD008970-08

NICHD Solicitation for Research on Ion Interactions in Biopolymers and Tissue Sciences

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is seeking advanced research services for a project on tissue sciences and ion interactions in biopolymers. - Government Buyer: - Agency: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific OEMs or vendors are mentioned in the solicitation - Products/Services Requested: - Research and modeling services focused on: - Ion interactions in biopolymer systems (e.g., polyacrylic acid, DNA) - Experimental and computational studies of polyelectrolyte molecules, cross-linked polymers, bottlebrush polymers, cartilage proteoglycans, DNA gels, and biomimetic hydrogels - Special emphasis on the effects of divalent cations such as calcium - No specific products, part numbers, or quantities are listed - Unique or Notable Requirements: - The project requires expertise in both experimental and modeling approaches - Research outcomes are intended to support advances in medical imaging and tissue engineering - Focus on fundamental physical properties and phase transitions in biopolymer systems

Description

The project focuses on the role of ions in biological systems, particularly how they stabilize structures and influence properties of biopolymers such as flexibility, conformation, and dynamics. It involves modeling and experimental studies on polyelectrolyte molecules, including cross-linked polymers like polyacrylic acid (PAA) and DNA, to understand ion interactions, phase transitions, and the physical properties of biopolymer systems. The research also explores ion-polymer interactions in bottlebrush polymers, hierarchical structures of cartilage proteoglycans, DNA gels, and biomimetic hydrogels, with an emphasis on divalent cations like calcium.

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