23 Jul Multifunctional supramolecular hydrogels as biomaterials
Abstract
The present invention pertains to the design and application of a supramolecular hydrogel having a three-dimensional, self-assembling, elastic, network structure comprising non-polymeric, functional molecules and a liquid medium, whereby the functional molecules are noncovalently crosslinked. The functional molecules may be, for instance, anti-inflammatory molecules, antibiotics, metal chelators, anticancer agents, small peptides, surface-modified nanoparticles, or a combination thereof. The design of the hydrogel includes: 1) modifying functional molecules to convert them into hydrogelators while enhancing or maintaining their therapeutic properties and 2) triggering the hydrogelation process by physical, chemical, or enzymatic processes, thereby resulting in the creation of a supramolecular hydrogel via formation of non-covalent crosslinks by the functional molecules. Applications of the present invention include use of the supramolecular hydrogel, for instance, as a biomaterial for wound healing, tissue engineering, drug delivery, and drug/inhibitor screening.
Year: 2007
Country: US
Doc No: 2007243255