Task(s) Completed from 2 Jun to 8 Jun

Mon, 2 Jun 2008

1) Drying of EPC 6 & 7

EPC 6: 2 g PPE, 2 g PPG and 0.05 g PCL
EPC 7: 2 g PPE, 2 g PPG and 0.10 g PCL

The chemicals were added together in a round bottom flask with a magnetic stirrer. After which it was heated in silicon oil and connected to a vacuum pump. The mixture was left to stirr at 100 degree Celsius for 24 hours.



The solvent, dichloroethane, coupling agent, HMDI and dibutytin dilaurate catalyst is to be added on 3 Jun


2) BCA Protein Assay

150μl of the 9 standards and the drug delivery samples of BSA was added into the 96 well plate, followed by 150μl of working reagent. The plate was subjected to shaking for 30 seconds before incubation for 2 hours. After that it was left to cool and the absorbance was measured using the spectrofluorometer at 562 nm. A calibration curve of the standards were plotted and the concentrations of the samples were determined.



Tue, 3 Jun 2008

1) Reaction of EPC 6 & 7 (from 2 Jun)

This step was carried out over 48 hours in an inert atmosphere (nitrogen gas) at a lower temperature (70 degree Celsius) and the solvent, dichloroethane was added to both mixtures. After which approximately 0.5 ml of HMDI was added and 2 - 3 drops of dibutyltin dilaurate was introduced as a catalyst. Care must be taken that the polymer does not cross link by adding the solvent ocassionally.


Next step: Precipitation of polymer on 5 Jun 2008

2) Drying of EPC 8 & 9

EPC 8: 2 g PPE, 2 g PPG and 0.15 g PCL
EPC 9: 2 g PPE, 2 g PPG and 0.20 g PCL

The chemicals were added together in a round bottom flask with a magnetic stirrer. After which it was heated in silicon oil and connected to a vacuum pump. The mixture was left to stirr at 100 degree Celsius for 24 hours.

The solvent, dichloroethane, coupling agent, HMDI and dibutytin dilaurate catalyst is to be added on 4 Jun

Wed, 4 Jun 2008

1) Learning of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
To be updated further


Thur, 5 Jun 2008

1) Precipitation of EPC 6 & 7

Both polymer mixtures were released slowly into 500 ml of diethyl ether and left to stir for 1 day at room temperature.


Next: step: Extraction of polymer on 6 Jun 2008


2) Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC)

A minute amount of polymer precipitated was dissolved in THF and filtered into a 1 ml vial before injection into the column.


Fri, 6 Jun 2008

1) Extraction of EPC 6 & 7 (from 5 Jun)

The diethyl ether solution was decanted and the polymer was blown dry using air. After which it was dissolved in chloroform and stirred to dissolved. The final mixture was then left to stand to vaporize the chloroform to get the product.


2) Precipitation of EPC 8 & 9

Both polymer mixtures were released slowly into 500 ml of diethyl ether and left to stir for 1 day at room temperature.


Next: step: Extraction of polymer on 9 Jun 2008