Biomedical applications of Polymers from Scaffolds to Nanostructures

The ability of polymers to span wide ranges of mechanical properties and morph into desired shapes makes them useful for a variety of applications, including scaffolds, self-assembling materials, and nanomedicines. With an interdisciplinary list of subjects and contributors, this book overviews the biomedical applications of polymers and focuses on the aspect of regenerative medicine. Chapters also cover fundamentals, theories, and tools for scientists to apply polymers in the following ways:

• Matrix protein interactions with synthetic surfaces
• Methods and materials for cell scaffolds
• Complex cell-materials microenvironments in bioreactors
• Polymer therapeutics as nano-sized medicines for tissue repair
• Functionalized mesoporous materials for controlled delivery
• Nucleic acid delivery nanocarriers

Concepts include macro and nano requirements for polymers as well as future perspectives, trends, and challenges in the field. From self-assembling peptides to self-curing systems, this book presents the full therapeutic potential of novel polymeric systems and topics that are in the leading edge of technology.

About the Author

Manuel Monleon Pradas is Professor at the Technical University of Valencia, Spain, where he founded and headed the Centre for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering (1999-2009). He was Head of the Biomaterials Unit at the Centro de Investigacion Principe Felipe (Valencia, Spain), and has been visiting professor at the University of Paris-XI. He has authored over 160 papers in the fields of polymer science and biomaterials.

Maria J. Vicent is Head of the Polymer Therapeutics Laboratory at Centro de Investigacion Principe Felipe (Valencia, Spain). She has expertise in several aspects of polymer therapeutics field, from synthesis of nanopharmaceutics to their biological evaluation in different cell and in vivo models. Dr. Vicent has coauthored over 70 papers and 7 patents in the field. Furthermore, in 2012, she cofounded a spin-off company named Polypeptide Therapeutic Solutions SL, Spain, based on a family patent from her own group.

Book Information
ISBN 9780470596388
Author Manuel Monleon Pradas
Format Hardback
Page Count 416
Imprint John Wiley & Sons Inc
Publisher John Wiley & Sons Inc
Weight(grams) 712g
Dimensions(mm) 243mm * 163mm * 28mm