title: Photoreconfigurable polymers for biomedical applications: chemistry and macromolecular engineering.
abstract: Stimuli-responsive polymers play an important role in many biomedical technologies. Light responsive polymers are particularly desirable because the parameters of irradiated light and diverse photoactive chemistries produce a large number of combinations between functional materials and associated stimuli. This Review summarizes recent advances in utilizing photoactive chemistries in macromolecules for prospective use in biomedical applications. Special focus is granted to selection criterion when choosing photofunctional groups. Synthetic strategies to incorporate these functionalities into polymers and networks with different topologies are also highlighted herein. Prospective applications of these materials are discussed including programmable matrices for controlled release, dynamic scaffolds for tissue engineering, and functional coatings for medical devices. The article concludes by summarizing the state of the art in photoresponsive polymers for biomedical applications including current challenges and future opportunities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering and ‡Department of Biomedical Engineering Carnegie Mellon University , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States.
authors.forename: Congcong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Chi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ninh
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Bettinger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011108:Polymers