{"id":3470,"date":"2026-03-20T15:16:54","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T14:16:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www-preprod.cnrs-imn.fr\/interactions-at-bio-interfaces\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T14:36:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T12:36:20","slug":"interactions-at-bio-interfaces","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.cnrs-imn.fr\/en\/physics-of-materials-and-nanostructures\/interactions-at-bio-interfaces\/","title":{"rendered":"Interactions at bio-interfaces"},"content":{"rendered":"

Interactions at the boundaries between materials (polymers, nanoparticles, etc.) and environments, especially biological environments, are at the heart of the work carried out in this theme.<\/p>\n

1 – <\/strong>Structuring biomaterials<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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This activity concerns the design and development of biomaterials (injectable thermosensitive hydrogels, hydrogel foams, cements) for tissue engineering. The main objectives are to determine their structure, measure their mechanical properties, study the chemical properties of interfaces and understand material\/cell interactions, in order to optimize their chemical and topological characteristics. To achieve these objectives, high-resolution characterization methods are being developed based on atomic force microscopy (AFM) and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-MET, cryo-FIB-MEB). These microscopies are used in the imaging and spectroscopy modes, alongside vibrational spectroscopy (Raman and IR), DLS or Zetametry. <\/p>\n

Further information:[Polysaccharide<\/a>],[Hydrogels<\/a>].<\/p>\n

<\/strong>Keywords: <\/strong>Biomaterials, Material\/cell interactions, hydrogels<\/p>\n

<\/strong>IMN people involved<\/strong>: J. Le Bideau,<\/em> P. Abellan, S. Cuenot, H. Terrisse, S. Quillard<\/p>\n

2 – <\/strong>Interactions between materials and fluids<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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We are interested in the interactions between nanoparticles and plant cells. Our objectives are to gain a better understanding of the (bio)physical and physico-chemical properties of bio-interfaces, and to characterize the mechanical properties of living cells brought into contact with nanoparticles with a view to designing new materials that can be used in biological applications (sensors, imaging markers, etc.). The work is divided into two interconnected strands: the synthesis, functionalization and fine characterization of hybrid nanoparticles, with the emphasis on “green” synthesis routes and without additional surfactants; and the study of the impact of nanoparticle contact on biological membranes and the mechanical properties of cells in the presence of nanoparticles. <\/p>\n

In the thesis work of T. Le N\u00e9el (2018 – 2021), gold nanoparticles were synthesized, functionalized and their structural, morphological and dimensional properties finely determined by observations and measurements using transmission electron microscopy and Raman<\/a> spectroscopy. These particles were then used to assess the impact of their presence in the water surrounding Egeria Densa<\/em> aquatic plants. <\/p>\n

Key words: <\/strong>Nanoparticles, plant cells, biointerface, green synthesis, mechanical properties.<\/p>\n

<\/strong>IMN people involved : <\/strong>P. Bertoncini, M. Bayle<\/p>\n

3 – <\/strong>Inorganic feed additives: characterization and fate during digestion<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Our aim is to characterize various food additives, such as titanium dioxide (E171), colloidal silver and calcium phosphates (E341), which are currently present as nanoparticles in various food formulations (confectionery, infant milks), or pharmaceuticals. We first determine the physico-chemical characteristics of these compounds using a wide range of techniques (electron microscopy, infrared and Raman spectroscopies, solid state NMR, XPS, X-ray diffraction, UV-visible, etc.). We then analyze their properties at interfaces with biological media, and identify their interactions with molecules present in the digestive system (proteins, enzymes) or cell walls (phospholipids), using adsorption isotherms, zeta potential measurements, and spectroscopic tools to probe particle surfaces. <\/p>\n

Find out more:[TiO2-Phospholipids<\/a>],[E171 characterization<\/a>].<\/p>\n

<\/strong>Keywords: <\/strong>TiO2, colloidal silver, calcium phosphates<\/p>\n

IMN people involved<\/strong>: H. Terrisse, S. Quillard, B. Humbert<\/p>\n

4 – <\/strong>Radical species at the interface<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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The valorization ofCO2<\/sub> requires an understanding of its reaction intermediates at the solid\/solution interface. One of these intermediates is the Carbonate Radical (CO3\u00b0-<\/sup>), a radical species induced when the carbonate ion (HCO3-\/CO32-<\/sup>) in aqueous solution is exposed to an energy source sufficiently intense to cause the O-H bond of the water molecule to be broken via reaction with the hydroxyl radical (OH\u00b0). This carbonate radical has already been mentioned in the literature in experiments involving natural or induced photolysis, electrolysis, sonolysis and radiolysis. However, no data on its production\/consumption kinetics or its lifetime at the solid\/solution interface are available in the literature. Yet these parameters are key to understanding the interactions between the radical and the surface under study. This project will focus on the interaction between this radical and the surface of large families of “model” materials involved in various fields of interest (Energy, Geoscience, Health). The idea is to develop a cross-disciplinary project aimed at identifying, characterizing and quantifying these radical species at the solid\/solution interface using the time-resolved pulsed UV photolysis (TAS) technique. The first stage of the project concerns the carbonate radical CO3\u00b0-<\/sup>, but other radical species of interest may be considered at a later stage (CO2\u00b0-<\/sup>, OH\u00b0, O2\u00b0-<\/sup>, SO4\u00b0-<\/sup>) depending on the absorption range accessible via the experiment developed in this project. <\/p>\n

Expertise: <\/strong>Transient Absorption Spectroscopy (TAS)<\/p>\n

Key words: <\/strong>Radical, Lifetime, Surface<\/p>\n

Academic collaborations: <\/strong>ISTerre (Laurent Truche, UMR 5275, Universit\u00e9 Grenoble-Alpes)<\/p>\n

IMN people involved: <\/strong>Johan Vandenborre, Bernard Humbert, Jean-Yves Mevellec, Maxime Bayle, H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Terrisse, Jean Le Bideau, Rim Ettouri, Cl\u00e9ment Maheu, Chris Ewels<\/p>\n

Current research project: <\/strong>RADICO<\/p>\n

Publications :<\/strong><\/p>\n