title: Progress in biopolymer-based biomaterials and their application in controlled drug delivery.
abstract: Biopolymer-based materials are based on re-growing resources and are attractive for biomedical applications, as they can inherently combine degradability in vivo, can offer sites of adhesion for cells and proteins, often show good biocompatibility and may additionally be used to release embedded bioactive molecules. However, their selection and efficient use for specific applications require an understanding of molecular principles and relationships between the molecular and macroscopic level to establish distinct properties and functions. Here, synthetic routes are described, which allow tailoring properties and functions of biopolymer-based materials. The biological evaluation of such materials is discussed, with a special emphasis on their application in controlled release systems such as hydrogels and particulate carriers.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomaterial Science and Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Kantstrasse 55, 14513 Teltow, Germany.
authors.forename: Axel T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Neffe
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wischke
authors.forename: Miroslava
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Racheva
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lendlein
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001704:Biopolymers; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D009696:Nucleic Acids; D011134:Polysaccharides