Natural-Based Polymers for Biomedical Applications (Woodhead Publishing Series in Biomaterials)

Polymers from natural sources are particularly useful as biomaterials and in regenerative medicine, given their similarity to the extracellular matrix and other polymers in the human body. This important book reviews the wealth of research on both tried and promising new natural-based biomedical polymers, together with their applications as implantable biomaterials, controlled-release carriers or scaffolds for tissue engineering.The first part of the book reviews the sources, processing and properties of natural-based polymers for biomedical applications. Part two describes how the surfaces of polymer-based biomaterials can be modified to improve their functionality. The third part of the book discusses the use of natural-based polymers for biodegradable scaffolds and hydrogels in tissue engineering. Building on this foundation, Part four looks at the particular use of natural-gelling polymers for encapsulation, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The penultimate group of chapters reviews the use of natural-based polymers as delivery systems for drugs, hormones, enzymes and growth factors. The final part of the book summarises research on the key issue of biocompatibility.Natural-based polymers for biomedical applications is a standard reference for biomedical engineers, those studying and researching in this important area, and the medical community.

• Examines the sources, processing and properties of natural based polymers for biomedical applications
• Explains how the surfaces of polymer based biomaterials can be modified to improve their functionality
• Discusses the use of natural based polymers for hydrogels in tissue engineering, and in particular natural gelling polymers for encapsulation and regenerative medicine

Professor Rui L. Reis works in the Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group in the Department of Polymer Engineering at the University of Minho, Portugal.

Nuno M. Neves works in the Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group in the Department of Polymer Engineering at the University of Minho, Portugal.

João F. Mano (CEng, PhD, DSc) is a Full Professor at the Chemistry Department of University of Aveiro, Portugal, where he is directing both the MSc and PhD programs of Biotechnology. He is the founder and director of the COMPASS Research Group, from the Associated Laboratory CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials. His research interests include the use of advanced biomaterials and cells towards the progress of transdisciplinary concepts to be employed in regenerative and personalised medicine. In particular, he has been applying biomimetic and nano/micro-technology approaches to polymer-based biomaterials and surfaces in order to develop biomedical devices with improved structural and (multi-)functional properties, or in the engineering of microenvironments to control cell behaviour and organization, to be exploited clinically in advanced therapies or in drug screening. João Mano is the Editor-in-Chief of Materials Today Bio (Elsevier). He has been coordinating or involved in many national and European research projects, including Advanced and Proof-of-Concept Grants from the European Research Council. João Mano is an elected fellow of the European Academy of Sciences.

Alexandra P. Marques works in the Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group in the Department of Polymer Engineering at the University of Minho, Portugal.

Helena S. Azevedo works in the Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group in the Department of Polymer Engineering at the University of Minho, Portugal.