Poly(α-hydroxy acid)s (PHAs), such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) and their copolymers (e.g., PLGA), are aliphatic polyesters that are biocompatible, biodegradable and bioresorbable. These properties, together with the ability to fabricate them into 3-D scaffolds, renders them attractive candidates for biomedical applications. However, the absence of reactive functional groups limits their applications in this field. To overcome this limitation, we have prepared of two new copolymers of PLA that contain either α,β-unsaturated esters or thiol-containing side chains. These functional side chains allow for the attachment of biological molecules such as peptides and proteins through nucleophilic addition of thiols to electron-deficient alkenes, the thiol-ene reaction, or disulfide formation.

Fabrication of biodegradable surfaces of modified poly(lactic acid) for biomedical applications

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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