DNA-Chitosan Bilayer Membrane as a Bi-functional Biomedical Adhesive.

DNA-chitosan bilayer membranes were designed and prepared as a biomedical adhesive for therapeutic application. Various DNA-chitosan bilayer membranes were prepared by applying chitosan solution (2.0 mg cm -2 ) on UV-irradiated DNA membranes (0.2-0.5 mg cm -2 ). Tensile strengths of the DNA-chitosan bilayer membranes were approximately 4.0 N similar to that of chitosan alone membrane 2.0 mg cm -2 . These results indicate that the bilayer membranes have enough tensile strength as a surgical tape. When the surface of the DNA-chitosan membranes was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), fiber-like structure was observed on the DNA-side of the DNA-chitosan membranes, prepared from more than 0.3 mg cm -2 of UV-irradiated DNA membranes. In contrast, the chitosan-side of the DNA-chitosan membranes showed a smooth surface similar to that of the chitosan alone membrane. These results indicated that a DNA-chitosan bilayer membrane was successfully prepared using UV-irradiated DNA membranes (0.3-0.5 mg cm -2 ) and chitosan (2.0 mg cm -2 ). Next, we observed bonding strength of the membranes to rabbit peritoneum. The bonding strength of the chitosan-side was similar to that of fibrin glue. On the other hand, DNA side of bilayer membrane did not adhere to the peritoneum. The DNA-chitosan membrane is bi-functional and has a potential to serve as a bi-functional bio-adhesive.