Thesis defense: Bing Chen

The aim of this thesis is to develop new synthetic methodologies or “green” and direct syntheses towards glycoamphiphiles capable of self-assembly to form supramolecular hydrogels. The development of these molecules has both fundamental and applicative aspects. My presentation will be structured around a brief overview of the state of the art in supramolecular hydrogels obtained from glycoamphiphiles and their fields of application, before finally getting to the heart of my thesis topic, which will involve 1) the eco-friendly preparation of new glycoamphiphiles from natural building blocks; 2) the synthesis of glycosylated supramolecular hydrogels capable of interacting with lectins from P. aeuriginosa in order to mimic a bacterial biofilm; 3) a fundamental study showing the importance of the regioisomeric substitution on sugars on the hydrogelation properties and finally 4) the in situ preparation of silver nanoparticles in a supramolecular hydrogel system consisting of reducing sugars as an antibacterial matrix.