To address the future challenges of wearable or implanted medical devices (MDs), which are less invasive and increasingly personalized and effective, it is necessary to have a broad range of biocompatible materials with diverse mechanical properties. Preferably, these biomaterials should be of biological origin and employed under mild conditions (preferably in water) to reduce the risk of releasing toxic by-products. Material biodegradability is another key characteristic to master for the development of prostheses and devices with a lifespan adapted to their use. In this context, the ANR PHAMOUS aims to demonstrate the high potential of bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) for designing innovative MDs.
In this framework, the doctoral candidate will initially be responsible for the chemical modification of various PHAs to enhance their water solubility (e.g., pendant PEG groups), introduce photo-crosslinkable groups (e.g., methacrylates), and incorporate specific functions (peptides) to enhance cellular adhesion and antimicrobial properties. The doctoral candidate will then use the different functionalized PHAs to develop two demonstrators implemented through two different processes. Photo-crosslinkable and solvent-soluble PHAs will be formulated to manufacture a prototype of a bronchial stent using 'vat polymerization' 3D printing processes. Simultaneously, electrospinning of PHAs will be used to develop micro-structured and porous membranes.