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Special Issue "Polymer Materials for Application in Biomedical Fields"

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Macromolecules".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2024 | Viewed by 2992

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Dr. Lorella Izzo

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Guest Editor

Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi dell’Insubria, Via J. H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy
Interests: polymer chemistry; polyinsertion catalysis; ring opening polymerization; radical controlled polymerization; polymers for drug-delivery; inherently antimicrobial polymers; polyelectrolytes

Dr. Orlando Santoro

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Guest Editor

Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi dell’Insubria, Via J. H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy
Interests: organometallic synthesis; polyinsertion catalysis; ring opening polymerization; radical controlled polymerization; CO₂ fixation reactions

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

During the past three decades, polymers have emerged as a promising class of materials, finding a plethora of applications in many fields. The rapid development of a large variety of polymer synthesis and characterization methods allows for the design of novel multifunctional materials exhibiting a wide variety of structures as well as tailored physical, chemical, surface, and biomimetic features. Such versatility opens up new research topics in the biomedical field, such as the development of antimicrobial polymers, tissue engineering, as well as understanding of the interactions between biological systems and biopolymers.

This Special Issue entitled Polymer Materials for Application in Biomedical Fields aims at presenting recent advances in both experimental and computational research on the chemical, physical, and biological aspects of the design, synthesis, characterization, and applications of biomedical polymers.

We invite submissions covering either the development of novel biomedical polymers, or new advances in the use of well-known polymer materials (both natural and synthetic) for applications in biomedical fields. Review articles describing recent trends in these fields are also welcome.

Potential topics include but are not limited to:

Development of antimicrobial polymers
Polymers for surgery applications
Polymers for diagnosis
Polymer materials for drug and gene delivery
Functionalization of natural occurring polymers for biomedical applications

Dr. Lorella Izzo
Dr. Orlando Santoro
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

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14 pages, 4195 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Supercritical Impregnation of Mesoglycan and Lactoferrin on Polyurethane Electrospun Fibers for Wound Healing Applications

and

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(11), 9269; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24119269 - 25 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 780

Abstract

Fibrous membranes of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) were fabricated through a uni-axial electrospinning process. Fibers were then separately charged with two pharmacological agents, mesoglycan (MSG) and lactoferrin (LF), by supercritical CO₂ impregnation. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis proved the formation of a micrometric structure with a homogeneous distribution of mesoglycan and lactoferrin. Besides, the degree of retention is calculated in four liquid media with different pHs. At the same time, angle contact analysis proved the formation of a hydrophobic membrane loaded with MSG and a hydrophilic LF-loaded one. The impregnation kinetics demonstrated a maximum loaded amount equal to 0.18 ± 0.20% and 0.07 ± 0.05% for MSG and LT, respectively. In vitro tests were performed using a Franz diffusion cell to simulate the contact with the human skin. The release of MSG reaches a plateau after about 28 h while LF release leveled off after 15 h. The in vitro compatibility of electrospun membranes has been evaluated on HaCaT and BJ cell lines, as human keratinocytes and fibroblasts, respectively. The reported data proved the potential application of fabricated membranes for wound healing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Materials for Application in Biomedical Fields)

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Review

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23 pages, 1291 KiB

Open AccessReview

Novel Material Optimization Strategies for Developing Upgraded Abdominal Meshes

Alfred Najm

Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu

Marius Rădulescu

Bogdan Severus Gaspar

Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu

and

Mircea Beuran

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(18), 14298; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241814298 - 19 Sep 2023

Viewed by 529

Abstract

Over 20 million hernias are operated on globally per year, with most interventions requiring mesh reinforcement. A wide range of such medical devices are currently available on the market, most fabricated from synthetic polymers. Yet, searching for an ideal mesh is an ongoing process, with continuous efforts directed toward developing upgraded implants by modifying existing products or creating innovative systems from scratch. In this regard, this review presents the most frequently employed polymers for mesh fabrication, outlining the market available products and their relevant characteristics, further focusing on the state-of-the-art mesh approaches. Specifically, we mainly discuss recent studies concerning coating application, nanomaterials addition, stem cell seeding, and 3D printing of custom mesh designs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Materials for Application in Biomedical Fields)

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32 pages, 478 KiB

Open AccessReview

Biodegradable Polymer-Based Drug-Delivery Systems for Ocular Diseases

and

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(16), 12976; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241612976 - 19 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1191

Abstract

Ocular drug delivery is a challenging field due to the unique anatomical and physiological barriers of the eye. Biodegradable polymers have emerged as promising tools for efficient and controlled drug delivery in ocular diseases. This review provides an overview of biodegradable polymer-based drug-delivery systems for ocular diseases with emphasis on the potential for biodegradable polymers to overcome the limitations of conventional methods, allowing for sustained drug release, improved bioavailability, and targeted therapy. Natural and synthetic polymers are both discussed, highlighting their biodegradability and biocompatibility. Various formulation strategies, such as nanoparticles, hydrogels, and microemulsions, among others, are investigated, detailing preparation methods, drug encapsulation, and clinical applications. The focus is on anterior and posterior segment drug delivery, covering glaucoma, corneal disorders, ocular inflammation, retinal diseases, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Safety considerations, such as biocompatibility evaluations, in vivo toxicity studies, and clinical safety, are addressed. Future perspectives encompass advancements, regulatory considerations, and clinical translation challenges. In conclusion, biodegradable polymers offer potential for efficient and targeted ocular drug delivery, improving therapeutic outcomes while reducing side effects. Further research is needed to optimize formulation strategies and address regulatory requirements for successful clinical implementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Materials for Application in Biomedical Fields)

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Special Issue "Polymer Materials for Application in Biomedical Fields"

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