title: Biodegradable polymers derived from amino acids.
abstract: In the past three decades, the use of polymeric materials has increased dramatically for biomedical applications. Many α-amino acids derived biodegradable polymers have also been intensely developed with the main goal to obtain bio-mimicking functional biomaterials. Polymers derived from α-amino acids may offer many advantages, as these polymers: (a) can be modified further to introduce new functions such as imaging, molecular targeting and drugs can be conjugated chemically to these polymers, (b) can improve on better biological properties like cell migration, adhesion and biodegradability, (c) can improve on mechanical and thermal properties and (d) their degradation products are expected to be non-toxic and readily metabolized/excreted from the body. This manuscript focuses on biodegradable polymers derived from natural amino acids, their synthesis, biocompatibility and biomedical applications. It is observed that polymers derived from α-amino acids constitute a promising family of biodegradable materials. These provide innovative multifunctional polymers possessing amino acid side groups with biological activity and with innumerous potential applications.
authors: Institute of Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel.
authors: Wahid
authors: W
authors: Khan
authors: Saravanan
authors: S
authors: Muthupandian
authors: Shady
authors: S
authors: Farah
authors: Neeraj
authors: N
authors: Kumar
authors: Abraham J
authors: AJ
authors: Domb
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000032:analysis / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D047630:Depsipeptides / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008872:Microwaves; D058105:Polymerization; D011108:Polymers / Q000032:analysis / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D047630:Depsipeptides; D011108:Polymers