Many of the properties governing the function and efficacy of substrates used in regenerative medicine are regulated by molecular interactions at the interface between the biological system and the biomaterial. An in-depth understanding of their surface chemistry is therefore prerequisite for the discovery of new phenomena and their exploitation in the form of new products. Due to their versatility, ease of processing and defined nature, synthetic polymers are one of the most frequently used biomaterials in regenerative medicine. However also polysaccharides and their derivatives possess a significant potential owing to their biological origin and in many cases their similarities to the physicochemical properties of tissues in the wet state. Polysaccharides provide a diverse set of functions depending on the types of monosaccharides that constitute the chain which often contain multiple functional groups (e.g. hydroxyl, amino, carboxyl etc.). A careful chemical derivatization of these groups using esterification and amidation reactions allows for significant changes in the physicochemical properties and the introduction of cell- and biomolecule specific responses. Following derivatization, polysaccharides can be processed into two or three dimensional objects by techniques such as spin-coating, 3D-printing, electrospinning, freeze drying or solvent casting. Understanding and exploiting the solution state and reactivity of polysaccharide derivatives during and after processing allows for the manufacturing of substrates with unprecedented properties suitable to be used in various fields of regenerative medicine.

Manufacturing, characterization and use of substrates for regenerative medicine based on the specific properties of polysaccharide derivatives and biodegradable polymers

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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