Microbes Encapsulated within Crosslinkable Polymers

Abstract

The invention relates to porous films comprising crosslinked electrospun hydrogel fibers. Viable microbes are encapsulated within the crosslinked electrospun hydrogel fibers. The crosslinked electrospun hydrogel fibers are water insoluble and permeable. The invention also relates to methods of making and using such porous films.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A method for removing pollutants from an aqueous environment, the method comprising contacting the pollutants with a porous film that comprises crosslinked electrospun hydrogel fibers wherein microbes are encapsulated within the crosslinked electrospun hydrogel fibers, wherein the crosslinked electrospun hydrogel fibers are water insoluble and permeable, and wherein the microbes are viable and capable of bioremediation. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the microbes comprise members of the genus  Shewanella.    
     
     
         38 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A method of regenerating healthy bioflora, the method comprising implanting into the gastrointestinal tract of patients in need thereof a porous film that comprises crosslinked electrospun hydrogel fibers, wherein microbes are encapsulated within the crosslinked electrospun hydrogel fibers, wherein the crosslinked electrospun hydrogel fibers are water insoluble and permeable, and wherein the microbes are viable and capable of regenerating healthy bioflora in the gastrointestinal tract of the patient. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the microbe is selected from strains of the genera  Lactobacillus  or  Bifidobacterium.    
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the microbe is selected from the group consisting of  Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus bulgaricus  and  Streptococcus thermophilus.    
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the microbe is  Saccharomyces boulardii.    
     
     
         44 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the film has an open pore structure. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the crosslinked electrospun hydrogel fibers comprise polyethers. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47  wherein the polyethers comprise polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, mixtures thereof, or co-polymers thereof. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the copolymer is a triblock copolymer of polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide-polyethylene oxide. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the polyethers comprise a mixture of the triblock copolymer and polyethylene oxide. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the polyethers are functionalized with terminal acrylate or methacrylate groups. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the crosslinked electrospun hydrogel fibers comprise a mixture of F127-DMA and polyethylene oxide. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the crosslinked electrospun hydrogel fibers comprise glycosaminoglycans. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the glycosaminoglycans comprise functionalized hyaluronic acid. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the microbes are  Pseudomonas  sp. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the microbes produce ethanol. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the microbes maintain viability for at least about one week at 4° C. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the crosslinked electrospun hydrogel fibers have diameters in the range of about 0.6 microns to about 5 microns. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the porous film has a thickness in the range of about 1 micron to about 10 cm.