Polyhydroxyalkanoates as biomaterials.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biopolymers synthesized by bacteria under unbalanced growth conditions. These biopolymers are considered as potential biomaterials for future applications because they are biocompatible, biodegradable, and easy to produce and functionalize with strong mechanical strength. Currently, PHAs are being extensively innovated for biomedical applications due to their prerequisite properties.

Bioactive thermoresponsive polyblend nanofiber formulations for wound healing.

The rationale of this work is to develop new bioactive thermoresponsive polyblend nanofiber formulations for wound healing (topical). Various polymer compositions of thermoresponsive, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), egg albumen and poly(ε-caprolactone) blend solutions with and without a drug [gatifloxacin hydrochloride, Gati] were prepared. Non-woven nanofibers of various compositions were fabricated using an electrospinning technique.

First report on the record of parasitic infection in the Moray eel (Thyrsoidea macrura) along the Parangipettai coastal waters (Southeast coast of India).

An isopod belongs to the family Cirolanidae namely Anopsilana sp. was recorded from Parangipettai coastal waters during February and March, 2011. This is the first report and first record of occurrence of parasite in the Moray eel from this region.

Gelatin hydrogels: enhanced biocompatibility, drug release and cell viability.

Biodegradability and enhanced biocompatibility with pH-sensitivity of hydrogels are becoming very important issues for biomaterials applications so as to minimize the host-body reactions such as, inflammatory, antigenic, and immunogenic problems. This study involves development of hydrogel matrices of gelatin conjugated/modified with highly hydrophilic, pH-sensitive and biocompatible polymer, poly (2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and glyoxylic acid respectively. Various compositions of gelatin conjugated/modified with poly (2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (gp) and glyoxylic acid (gg) were synthesized.