Showing papers in "Progress in Polymer Science in 2007"

TL;DR: This review summarizes the main advances published over the last 15 years, outlining the synthesis, biodegradability and biomedical applications ofBiodegradable synthetic and natural polymers.

TL;DR: In this article, a review of recent mechanistic developments in the field of controlled/living radical polymerization (CRP) is presented, with particular emphasis on structure-reactivity correlations and "rules" for catalyst selection in ATRP, for chain transfer agent selection in reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, and for the selection of an appropriate mediating agent in stable free radical polymerisation (SFRP), including organic and transition metal persistent radicals.

TL;DR: Silks are fibrous proteins with remarkable mechanical properties produced in fiber form by silkworms and spiders that are biocompatible when studied in vitro and in vivo.

TL;DR: In this article, a review of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) is presented, including two immediate challenges: achieving an optimized interface structure, and forming asymmetric or composite membrane with an ultrathin and defect-free mixed matrix skin.

TL;DR: A review of the development of high performance polyurethane (PU) and its subclass coatings can be found in this paper, where a wide variety of fillers, whiskers and fibers as well as clay and wollastonites with structural modification are described for use in nanocomposite PU coatings.

TL;DR: Although there remain many unanswered questions, particularly regarding the mechanisms by which electrical conduction through CPs affects cells, there is already compelling evidence to demonstrate the significant impact that CPs are starting to make in the biomedical field.

TL;DR: This paper reviews recent advances in the covalent attachment of bioactive compounds to functionalized polymer surfaces including relevant techniques in polymer surface modification such as wet chemical, organosilanization, ionized gas treatments, and UV irradiation.

TL;DR: A review of living ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) reactions can be found in this article, along with a discussion of state-of-the-art catalysts for use in living ROMP reactions as well as opportunities for the future.

TL;DR: A critical review on the production of poly(lactic acid) fiber by various methods, along with correlations between structure and properties of the fibers is presented in this paper, where applications of these fibers in various domains are also discussed.

TL;DR: In this article, different synthetic strategies for the preparation of benzoxazine monomers and blends, their polymerization reaction mechanisms, and the structure-property relationships of the cured materials have been discussed.

TL;DR: A review of block copolymers can be found in this paper, which summarizes existing applications and alignment techniques and provides an outlook toward the future. But, with few exceptions, the alignment methods are general to a specific morphology or set of morphologies.

TL;DR: Recent advances in the development of physical stimuli-responsive micelles with high targeting potentials and controlled on-demand drug release are reviewed.

TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the combinations of thermosensitive properties with other types of sensitivity, i.e., pH, light, magnetic field, solvent quality, etc., and their effects on the reversible self-assembly in aqueous copolymer solutions or on the hydrogel organization.

TL;DR: The applicability of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) radical polymerization to the synthesis of water-soluble/dispersible (co) polymers under homogeneous reaction conditions in both aqueous and organic media is discussed in this paper.

TL;DR: The present review mainly addresses the developments of SP in the last decade with specific application areas of bioseparations, protein folding, microfluidics and actuators, sensors, smart surfaces and membranes.

TL;DR: A comprehensive account of living alkene polymerization systems with special attention paid to systems developed in the last five years can be found in this article, where the authors present a detailed review of the most relevant methods.

TL;DR: The review will discuss the most recent achievements in polymer conjugation with special emphasis on PEG application strategies and approved products.

TL;DR: The barriers in the current performance potential of biomedical devices can be lowered or removed by the rapid convergence of interdisciplinary technologies, involving supramolecular chemistry.

TL;DR: This review summarizes the main advances published over the last 15 years, outlining the synthesis, structural phenomena, unique properties and application areas of the bioengineering copolymers of N-isopropyl acrylamide with various types of comonomers.

TL;DR: This article summarizes recent developments in the synthesis of copolypeptides from polymerization of α-amino acid-N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs), focusing on their development for potential use in biomedical applications.

TL;DR: A comprehensive discussion of the current understanding of the biological barriers that prevent the effective delivery of therapeutic genes to targeted tissues and the rich collection of polymers and design strategies that have accumulated from nearly two decades of research aimed at overcoming these hurdles.

TL;DR: In this review, potential and currently used polymers for fabrication of hydrogels or polymer-modified liposomal systems and their protein delivery applications will be discussed.

TL;DR: Comparisons of polymersomes with viral capsids are shown to encompass and inspire many aspects of current designs, and polymersome loading, in vivo stealthiness, degradation-based disassembly for controlled release, and even tumor-shrinkage in vivo are reviewed.

TL;DR: The role of chitosan as a carrier of controlled release of DNA and small interfering RNA is described and the role of several factors for the enhancement of transfection efficiency and cell specificity in vitro are summarized.

TL;DR: This chapter focuses on the synthesis and applications of covalent conjugates of proteins and stimuli-responsive or “smart” polymers.

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors review recent work on colloidal particles bearing a dense layer of linear polyelectrolyte chains on their surface and show that these systems have a great potential as novel carrier particles for functional biomolecules.

TL;DR: Improving specificity toward target cells and intracellular gene-transferring efficiency will be a prerequisite for successful clinical application of polymeric gene carriers.

TL;DR: New developments in polymer science coupled with cell-based delivery strategies support the notion that diseases that now have limited therapeutic options can show improved outcomes by advances in nanomedicine.

TL;DR: The development of the next generation of temperature-responsive cell culture surfaces is summarized using modifications of the polymer coating to allow for rapid cell sheet recovery; improved culture conditions, such that animal-derived products can be eliminated; and altered phase transition temperatures to produce patterned cell sheets.

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a review on the present status of anionic polymerization of important non-polar and polar vinyl monomers, including recent developments, and discuss some important scientific and industrial applications.