Issue 1, 2018

Supramolecular polymeric biomaterials

Abstract

Polymeric chains crosslinked through supramolecular interactions—directional and reversible non-covalent interactions—compose an emerging class of modular and tunable biomaterials. The choice of chemical moiety utilized in the crosslink affords different thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of association, which in turn illustrate the connectivity and dynamics of the system. These parameters, coupled with the choice of polymeric architecture, can then be engineered to control environmental responsiveness, viscoelasticity, and cargo diffusion profiles, yielding advanced biomaterials which demonstrate rapid shear-thinning, self-healing, and extended release. In this review we examine the relationship between supramolecular crosslink chemistry and biomedically relevant macroscopic properties. We then describe how these properties are currently leveraged in the development of materials for drug delivery, immunology, regenerative medicine, and 3D-bioprinting (253 references).

Graphical abstract: Supramolecular polymeric biomaterials

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
25 Aug. 2017
Accepted
01 Nov. 2017
First published
02 Nov. 2017

Biomater. Sci., 2018,6, 10-37

Supramolecular polymeric biomaterials

J. L. Mann, A. C. Yu, G. Agmon and E. A. Appel, Biomater. Sci., 2018, 6, 10 DOI: 10.1039/C7BM00780A

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