Polysaccharide-poly(ethylene glycol) star copolymer as a scaffold for the production of bioactive hydrogels.

ABSTRACT: The production of polysaccharide-derivatized surfaces, polymers, and biomaterials has been shown to be a useful strategy for mediating the biological properties of materials, owing to the importance of polysaccharides for the sequestration and protection of bioactive proteins in vivo. We have therefore sought to combine the benefits of polysaccharide derivatization of polymers with unique opportunities to use these polymers for the production of bioactive, noncovalently assembled hydrogels. Accordingly, we report the synthesis of a heparin-modified poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) star copolymer that can be used in the assembly of bioactive hydrogel networks via multiple strategies and that is also competent for the delivery of bioactive growth factors. A heparin-decorated polymer, synthesized

SUBMITTER: Yamaguchi N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2887734 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Jul-Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature