Chitin is the most abundant natural amino polysaccharide and is estimated to be produced annually almost as much as cellulose. It has become of great interest not only as an underutilized resource, but also as a new functional material of high potential in various fields, and recent progress in chitin chemistry is quite noteworthy. The purpose of this review is to take a closer look at chitin and chitosan applications. Based on current research and existing products, some new and futuristic approaches in this fascinating area are thoroughly discussed.

A review of chitin and chitosan applications

The present invention provides compositions comprising an anti-angiogenic factor, and a polymeric carrier. Representative examples of anti-angiogenic factors include Anti-Invasive Factor, Retinoic acids and derivatives thereof, and paclitaxel. Also provided are methods for embolizing blood vessels, and eliminating biliary, urethral, esophageal, and tracheal/bronchial obstructions.

Anti-angiogenic compositions and methods of use

Particle shape: a new design parameter for micro- and nanoscale drug delivery carriers.

This Account reviews our laboratory's research in biomaterials. In one area, drug delivery, we discuss the development of materials that are capable of releasing macromolecules such as proteins and peptides, intelligent delivery systems based on magnetism or microchip technology, new degradable materials such as polyanhydrides, and noninvasive approaches for delivering molecules through the skin and lungs. A second area, tissue engineering, is also discussed. New polymer systems for creating cartilage, blood vessels, nerves, and other tissues are examined.

Biomaterials in drug delivery and tissue engineering: one laboratory's experience.

Polymeric micro- and nanoparticles play a central role in varied applications such as drug delivery, medical imaging, and advanced materials, as well as in fundamental studies in fields such as microfluidics and nanotechnology. Functional behavior of polymeric particles in these fields is strongly influenced by their shape. However, the availability of precisely shaped polymeric particles has been a major bottleneck in understanding and capitalizing on the role of shape in particle function. Here we report a method that directly addresses this need. Our method uses routine laboratory chemicals and equipment to make particles with >20 distinct shapes and characteristic features ranging in size from 60 nm to 30 μm. This method offers independent control over important particle properties such as size and shape, which is crucial to the development of nonspherical particles both as tools and products for a variety of fields.

https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/104/29/11901.full.pdf

Making polymeric micro- and nanoparticles of complex shapes

Polymers for Sustained Macromolecule Release: Procedures to Fabricate Reproducible Delivery Systems and Control Release Kinetics

Zero-Order Controlled-Release Polymer Matrices for Micro- and Macromolecules

A new approach to achieve zero-order release kinetics from diffusion-controlled polymer matrix systems

Control of release kinetics of macromolecules from polymers

In an earlier study, we described the first biocompatible polymeric delivery systems capable of continuously delivering macromolecules (M.W. < 1000), such as proteins, for prolonged periods (1). These systems were formed by mixing macromolecules in a polymer solution, pouring the mixture into small, conical molds, and evaporating the solvent. The resulting pellets, when exposed to aqueous medium, released macromolecules in biochemically active form for over 100 days (2).

William D. Rhine

Papers

Polymers for Sustained Macromolecule Release: Procedures to Fabricate Reproducible Delivery Systems and Control Release Kinetics

Zero-Order Controlled-Release Polymer Matrices for Micro- and Macromolecules

A new approach to achieve zero-order release kinetics from diffusion-controlled polymer matrix systems

Control of release kinetics of macromolecules from polymers

Polymers for the sustained release of macromolecules: applications and control of release kinetics