Ravin Narain - Böcker

Polymers and Nanomaterials for Gene Therapy provides the latest information on gene therapy, a topic that has attracted significant attention over the past two decades for the treatment of inherited and acquired genetic diseases. Major research efforts are currently focused on designing suitable carrier vectors that compact and protect oligonucleotides for gene therapy.

The book explores the most recent developments in the field of polymer science and nanotechnology, and how these advancements have helped in the design of advanced materials. Non-viral vector systems, including cationic lipids, polymers, dendrimers, peptides and nanoparticles, are potential routes for compacting DNA for systemic delivery. However, unlike viral analogues that have no difficulty in overcoming cellular barriers and immune defense mechanisms, non-viral gene carriers consistently exhibit significant reduced transfection efficiency due to numerous extra- and intracellular obstacles. Therefore, biocompatibility and potential for large-scale production make these compounds increasingly attractive for gene therapy.

This book contains chapters on the engineering of polymers and nanomaterials for gene therapy, and how they can form complexes with DNA and avoid both in vitro and in vivo barriers. Other chapters describe in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo gene therapy studies, and the current issues affecting non-viral gene therapy.

Explores current challenges in the research of genetic diseases Discusses polymers for gene therapy and their function in designing advanced materials Provides examples of organic and inorganic nanomaterials for gene therapy Includes labeling, targeting, and assays Looks at characterization, physico-(bio)chemical properties, and applications

Polymer Science and Nanotechnology: Fundamentals and Applications brings together the latest advances in polymer science and nanoscience. Sections explain the fundamentals of polymer science, including key aspects and methods in terms of molecular structure, synthesis, characterization, microstructure, phase structure and processing and properties before discussing the materials of particular interest and utility for novel applications, such as hydrogels, natural polymers, smart polymers and polymeric biomaterials. The second part of the book examines essential techniques in nanotechnology, with an emphasis on the utilization of advanced polymeric materials in the context of nanoscience.

Throughout the book, chapters are prepared so that materials and products can be geared towards specific applications. Two chapters cover, in detail, major application areas, including fuel and solar cells, tissue engineering, drug and gene delivery, membranes, water treatment and oil recovery.

Presents the latest applications of polymers and polymeric nanomaterials, across energy, biomedical, pharmaceutical, and environmental fields Contains detailed coverage of polymer nanocomposites, polymer nanoparticles, and hybrid polymer-metallic nanoparticles Supports an interdisciplinary approach, enabling readers from different disciplines to understand polymer science and nanotechnology and the interface between them

Natural and Synthetic Hydrogels: Rational Design, Synthesis and Biomedical Applications provides acomprehensive text on hydrogels and their biomedical uses, covering both fundamental and applied aspects of hydrogels. Hydrogels are three-dimensional network of cross-linked polymers or particles that contain a large amount of water. They have received tremendous attention for applications in biomedicines, which has led to significant progress in the design and engineering of the hydrogels to meet the needs for such applications.The book covers the recent developments that have been made in this field, including new applications of hydrogels, providing a new and fresh overview of hydrogels and their applications.Natural and Synthetic Hydrogels: Rational Design, Synthesis and Biomedical Applications is valuableto upper level undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, and progressors teaching fundamental and applied aspects of hydrogels.

Provides a complete description for design approaches, synthetic strategies, and their characterizationsCovers responsive hydrogels from the synthesis and application point-of-viewEvaluates modern techniques to prepare hydrogels and their characterizations

Biomedical Applications of Self-Healing Polymers addresses the critical need for materials that can self-repair, enhancing the durability and functionality of biomedical devices and tissue engineering scaffolds. The design, characterization, and fabrication of self-healing polymers is covered, as well as key preparation methods, classifications, and mechanisms of action. This book also explores the integration of nanoparticles in self-healing polymers and the creation of self-healing scaffolds for tissue regeneration. The second part of the book focuses on the biomedical applications of self-healing polymers, such as wound healing, drug delivery, cell and tissue engineering, medical devices, dental restorative materials, and 3D-printed biomedical constructs.Sections include in vitro and in vivo evaluations, discussing current limitations and future prospects. This book is ideal for academics and researchers in materials science, biomedical engineering, and pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences.Provides a clear introduction to self-healing polymers, including key design and preparation methods, properties, and mechanisms of actionReviews a wide range of biomedical applications, from wound healing and drug delivery to 3D printing and medical devicesPresents practical and translational insights on in vitro and in vivo evaluations of self-healing polymers

This book addresses the need for a comprehensive book on the design, synthesis, and characterization of synthetic carbohydrate-based polymeric materials along with their biological applications. The first two chapters cover the synthesis and self-assembly of glycopolymers and different techniques for creating these synthetic polymers. Subsequent chapters account for the preparation of block copolymers, branched glycopolymers, glycosurfaces, glycodendrimers, cationic glycopolymers, bioconjugates, glyconanoparticles and hydrogels. While these chapters comprehensively review the synthetic and characterization methods of those carbohydrate-based materials, their biological applications are discussed in detail.

Explores bioconjugate properties and applications of polymers, dendrimers, lipids, nanoparticles, and nanotubesBioconjugation has enabled breakthroughs across many areas of industry and biomedicine. With its emphasis on synthesis, properties and applications, this book enables readers to understand the connection between chemistry and the biological application of bioconjugated materials. Its detailed descriptions of methods make it possible for researchers to fabricate and take full advantage of bioconjugates for a broad range of applications. Moreover, the book sets the foundation for the development of new applications, including assays, imaging, biosensors, drug delivery, and diagnostics.Chemistry of Bioconjugates features contributions from an international team of leading experts and pioneers in the field. These contributions reflect the authors’ firsthand laboratory experience as well as a thorough review of the current literature. The book’s six sections examine: General methods of bioconjugationPolymer bioconjugatesOrganic nanoparticle-based bioconjugatesInorganic nanomaterial bioconjugates, including metals and metal oxidesCell-based, hydrogel/microgel, and glyco-bioconjugatesCharacterization, physico-(bio)chemical properties, and applications of bioconjugatesThis comprehensive exploration of bioconjugates includes discussions of polymers, dendrimers, lipids, nanoparticles, and nanotubes. References at the end of each chapter serve as a gateway to the most important original research findings and reviews in the field.By drawing together and analyzing all the latest chemical methods and research findings on the physico-chemical and biochemical properties of bioconjugates, Chemistry of Bioconjugates sheds new light on the significance and potential of bioconjugation. The book is recommended for organic and polymer chemists, biochemists, biomaterial scientists, carbohydrate chemists, biophysicists, bioengineers, and drug and gene delivery scientists.