Regensburg 2010 – scientific programme
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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik
CPP 3: Focus: Structure and Dynamics of Responsive Hydrogels I
CPP 3.7: Talk
Monday, March 22, 2010, 12:00–12:15, H37
Smart Biocompatible Hydrogels constructed with oligo(ethylene glycol) (macro)monomers — Jean-Francois Lutz1 and •André Laschewsky2 — 1Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research, Potsdam — 2University of Potsdam
The main target of our research is to develop novel intelligent polymeric materials for bio-applications. Indeed, synthetic polymers play a key-role in various areas of modern medicine and biotechnology (e.g. bioseparation, controlled drug release, non-viral gene delivery, diagnostics, implants). However, paradoxically, only a few established polymer structures (e.g. PEG, PEI, PLGA, PNIPAM) have been so far widely used in Life Science. In this context, developing new generations of "bio-relevant" macromolecules is an extremely important target, both from a fundamental and technological point of view.
A good example of our synthetic work is our recent design of thermoresponsive polymers based on oligo(ethylene glycol) (macro)monomers. The stimuli-responsive behavior of these new polymers can be precisely controlled by simply varying their molecular structure. Moreover, in comparison to standard thermoresponsive polymers (e.g. PNIPAM) these novel structures possess the advantage to exhibit a reversible phase transition. Hence, we are currently evaluating the potential of these novel biocompatible polymers in various bio-applications. In the present talk, the relevance of this new class of thermoresponsive macromolecules for preparing physically or chemically-crosslinked hydrogels will be discussed.