Synthesis and characterization of degradable bioconjugated hydrogels with hyperbranched multifunctional cross-linkers.

Hyperbranched poly(ester amide) polymer (Hybrane S1200, M(n) 1200 gmol(-1)) was functionalized with maleic anhydride (MA) and propylene sulfide, to obtain multifunctional cross-linkers with fumaric and thiol end groups, S1200MA and S1200SH, respectively. The degree of substitution (DS) of maleic acid groups was controlled by varying the molar ratio of MA to S1200 in the reaction mixture. Hydrogels were obtained by UV cross-linking of functionalized S1200 and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate in aqueous solutions.

Polyelectrolyte multilayers containing triblock copolymers of different charge ratio.

Multilayers formed by the sodium salt of poly(4-styrenesulfonate), PSS, and triblock copolymers of the form PDMAEMA-PCL-PDMAEMA (PDMAEMA corresponding to poly[2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate), and PCL to poly(epsilon-caprolactone) have been built by layer-by-layer self-assembly from the aqueous polyelectrolyte solutions. Two types of block copolymers have been used which differ on the type of the amino groups, either hydrochloride or quaternized. This leads to changes in the charge density of the chains for the same content of amino groups.

Effect of heparin oligomer chain length on the activation of valvular interstitial cells.

A key event in connective tissue remodeling involves the transformation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, also revealed by expression of α-smooth muscle actin (-SMA). However, misregulation of this transition can lead to fibrosis, an overgrowth and hardening of tissue due to excess extracellular matrix deposition, a process that is linked to heart valve disease and many others. Both disease treatment and regenerative strategies would benefit from strategies for the controlled delivery and presentation of bioactive factors that can promote or suppress this transformation.

Fluorescent probes for sensing processes in polymers.

Fluorescence spectroscopy is an important analytical technique that has been widely used in a variety of applications, such as biomedicine, biology, and science of materials, because it presents some properties which makes it unique, that is, extraordinary sensitivity and selectivity, short delay time (<10(-9) s), and it is neither invasive nor destructive, so it can be used for in situ measurements. Generally, intrinsic fluorescence of many materials, like polymers, is unspecific so it is not useful to analyse their properties or to be correlated to changes in their microenvironment. The incorporation of additives with fluorescent groups would be necessary.