Probing Bio-Molecules across Polyelectrolyte Multilayers

Abstract

Highly tuneable architecture of PEMs with nanometres precision is the most promising aspect to utilize them for variety of applications. The bulk loading properties of polyelectrolyte multilayer thin films (PEM) motivate researchers to utilize them as a carrier for biomedical applications. For designing an efficient carrier polymeric assembly for targeted and controlled drug delivery, it is very important to understand the loading and release kinetics of bio-molecules across PEM matrix. Therefore, a better and complete understanding of the molecular diffusion is highly recommended to achieve success in these areas. This mini review provides an overview of the current efforts in understanding the bio-molecular transport across the polymer thin films. Different strategies involving confocal-based approaches along with recent innovative techniques have been briefly explained here to probe biomolecules in PEM. Pros and cons of each technique with future perspectives are discussed to render the most suitable technique for understanding the permeability of desired polymer matrix.