title: Composite alginate microspheres as the next-generation egg-box carriers for biomacromolecules delivery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alginate microspheres are versatile tools for the delivery of a wide range of therapeutic biomacromolecules. This naturally occurring biopolymer has many unique properties making it an ideal candidate for tailoring with different composites of polymers leading to the formation of strong complexes for a broad range of applications.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article overviews various types of composite alginate microspheres, methods of preparation, new technologies available, physico-chemical characteristics, controlled release profiles, applications and the future directions of composite alginate microsphere delivery system for biomacromolecules.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Composite alginate microsphere systems are the ideal carriers for controlled delivery applications because of their ability to encapsulate a myriad of therapeutic drugs, proteins, enzymes, DNA, antisense oligonucleotides, vaccines, growth factors and chemokines as well as the ease of processing, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, high bioavailability, controlled release rates, stability, suitability for different administration modes, targeted/localized delivery of different agents and large-scale production with cost-effectiveness. This article presents updated information of applying microalginate-based technologies and tools in the biomedical field which will benefit research scientists and clinical physicians or biopharmaceutical industries keen in the development of application-based new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies for various diseases. Furthermore, this technology will play more important roles in biosensors, vaccination, tissue engineering, cancer chemotherapeutics and stem cell research.
authors: Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT B), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India.
authors: Radhika
authors: R
authors: Poojari
authors: Rohit
authors: R
authors: Srivastava
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D004337:Drug Carriers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008863:Microspheres; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D020723:Glucuronic Acid