title: Biodegradable block copolymers.
abstract: Recently, block copolymers have got tremendous impetus on the ongoing research in the area of drug delivery technology, due to their capability to provide a biomaterial having a broad range of amphiphilic characteristics, as well as targeting the drugs to specific site. This article is an attempt to review applications of block copolymers in surface modification, drug targeting, nano and microparticles, hydrogels, micelles etc. The physicochemical properties of block copolymers and various synthetic routes for block copolymers are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Ravikumar
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Domb
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D007773:Lactates; C088513:poly(lactic acid-ethylene glycol); D011092:Polyethylene Glycols