title: Synthesis of monodisperse biodegradable microgels in microfluidic devices.
abstract: Microgels are promising materials in drug delivery and biomedicine. Although monodisperse microgels would offer considerable advantages, most microgels investigated and used today are polydisperse in size. We report on the fabrication of 10 mum sized monodisperse microgels by emulsifying an aqueous dextran-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (dex-HEMA) phase within an oil phase at the junction of microfluidic channels. Dex-HEMA microgels are biodegradable and are ideally suited for the controlled delivery of proteins.
authors.forename: Bruno G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: De Geest
authors.forename: John Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Urbanski
authors.forename: Todd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thorsen
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Demeester
authors.forename: Stefaan C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: De Smedt
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005782:Gels; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008853:Microscopy; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005782:Gels; D008689:Methacrylates; C005044:hydroxyethyl methacrylate