Stimuli-Responsive Polymers at the Interface with Biology
Language English Country United States Media print-electronic
Document type Journal Article, Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- MeSH
- Stimuli Responsive Polymers * chemistry MeSH
- Hydrogels * chemistry MeSH
- Drug Delivery Systems methods MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Polymers chemistry MeSH
- Polysaccharides chemistry MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Review MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Stimuli Responsive Polymers * MeSH
- Hydrogels * MeSH
- Polymers MeSH
- Polysaccharides MeSH
There has been growing interest in polymeric systems that break down or undergo property changes in response to stimuli. Such polymers can play important roles in biological systems, where they can be used to control the release of therapeutics, modulate imaging signals, actuate movement, or direct the growth of cells. In this Perspective, after discussing the most important stimuli relevant to biological applications, we will present a selection of recent exciting developments. The growing importance of stimuli-responsive polysaccharides will be discussed, followed by a variety of stimuli-responsive polymeric systems for the delivery of small molecule drugs and nucleic acids. Switchable polymers for the emerging area of therapeutic response measurement in theranostics will be described. Then, the diverse functions that can be achieved using hydrogels cross-linked covalently, as well as by various dynamic approaches will be presented. Finally, we will discuss some of the challenges and future perspectives for the field.
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