Download Biodegradable Polymers – From Delivery of Drugs to Tissue

Biodegradable Polymers – From Delivery of Drugs to Tissue
Separation
Abraham J. Domb
Institute of Drug Research, School of Pharmacy- Faculty of Medicine,
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
Biodegradable polymers have been used for over five decades as temporary devices
and drug carriers to improve human health. These materials should possess specific
physical, chemical, biological, functional, biomechanical, and degradation properties
that fit the biomedical application at hand.
Biodegradable polymers have been synthesized from natural components: fatty acids,
amino acids and saccharides to form compounds with tailored properties that fit the
intended application. Injectable pasty polymers were synthesized from castor oil and
used for the delivery of agents to diseased sites such as infected bones and solid tumors.
Polyesters derived from amino acids have been used as scaffolds for tissue engineering
and cationic polysaccharides were used as transfection agents for plasmid DNA and
siRNA. Biodegradable balloons have been applied for separation of the prostate from
the rectum for irradiation protection and for treating massive rotator cuff tear.
This seminar will focus on biodegradable polymer and their applications as investigated
in our laboratory for the past 25 years.