Research and Markets: Natural-Based Polymers for Biomedical Applications Reviews the Wealth of Research on Both Tried and Promising New Natural-Based Biomedical Polymers

Business Wire, July 2, 2008

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/5ca569/naturalbased_poly) has announced the addition of the "Natural-based polymers for biomedical applications" report to their offering.

Polymers from natural sources are particularly useful as biomaterials, 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 polymerbased 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 will be a standard reference for biomedical engineers, those studying and researching in this important area, and the medical community.

Key Topics Covered:

PART 1 SOURCES, PROPERTIES, MODIFICATION AND PROCESSING OF NATURAL-BASED POLYMERS

PART 2 SURFACE MODIFICATION AND BIOMIMETIC COATINGS

PART 3 BIODEGRADABLE SCAFFOLDS ANDHYDROGENS FOR TISSUE REGENERATION

PART 4 NATURALLY-DERIVED HYDROGENS INTISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE

PART 5 SYSTEMS FOR THE SUSTAINED RELEASE OF MOLECULES

PART 6 BIOCOMPATIBILITY OF NATURAL-BASED POLYMERS

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/5ca569/naturalbased_poly