Glycerol Polycarbonates as New Biomaterials

非技术部分新型聚合物组合物和具有新性能的聚合物的开发是医疗器械未来发展的关键。科学进步，如NSF赞助的这项研究中所描述的，将支持美国的产业，这些产业在这个医用聚合物市场中扮演着重要角色，预计到2018年将超过35亿美元。在NSF的资助下，Pi(Grinstaff)和他的团队将设计、合成和评估一类基于天然代谢物、无毒和可生物降解的新型聚合物材料。NSF的资金将用于支持本科生和研究生，他们将受益于包括生物材料和聚合物化学培训在内的跨学科尖端研究和教育经验。将鼓励学生独立和创造性地思考，同时认识到与其他专家(例如，材料科学家、病理学家、生物医学工程师和专利律师)合作的重要性。这些活动将促进对基础研究的热情，同时教育和培训未来的劳动力。技术部分在生物材料和生物医学领域，聚乳酸和聚乙醇酸等可降解聚合物被广泛研究，是许多医疗器械产品的不可或缺的组成部分。虽然广泛使用，但这些聚羟基酸S具有一些局限性，包括：1)主链功能化能力有限；2)降解时产生酸性产物；以及3)对分子量和分散性控制不佳。因此，迫切需要新的聚合物生物材料，这种材料易于修饰，具有多种加工或制造方法，并且能够在不产生局部酸性环境的情况下进行受控降解。在NSF的资助下，Pi(Grinstaff)和他的团队将设计、合成和评估一类基于甘油聚碳酸酯的新型天然代谢物、无毒和可生物降解的聚合物材料。在这种高度跨学科和尖端的研究环境中开展的活动也将为受过教育和培训的本科生和研究生提供在工业和学术界就业的机会。

Non-Technical sectionThe development of new polymer compositions and polymers with novel properties is key to the future development of medical devices. Scientific advances, such as those described in this NSF sponsored research, will support US industries, which play an important role in this medical polymers market estimated to exceed $3.5 billion by 2018. With NSF funding, the PI (Grinstaff) and his team will design, synthesize, and evaluate a novel class of natural metabolite-based, non-toxic, and biodegradable polymeric materials. NSF funding will be used to support undergraduate students and graduate students, who will benefit from an interdisciplinary cutting-edge research and educational experience that encompasses training in biomaterials and polymer chemistry. Students will be encouraged to think independently and creatively while recognizing the importance of collaborating with other experts (e.g., materials scientists, pathologist, biomedical engineers, and patent lawyers). These activities will contribute to positive societal outcomes by fostering excitement for basic research while educating and training a future workforce.Technical sectionIn the biomaterials and biomedical field, degradable polymers such as poly(lactic acid) and poly(glycolic acid) are widely studied and are an integral component of many medical device products. Although extensively used, these poly(hydroxy acid)s possess a number of limitations including: 1) limited capability for backbone functionalization; 2) acidic products upon degradation; and 3) poor control over molecular weight and dispersity. Consequently, there is significant need for new polymeric biomaterials that are amenable to facile modification, multiple processing or manufacturing methods, and controlled degradation without the generation of a local acidic environment. With NSF funding, the PI (Grinstaff) and his team will design, synthesize, and evaluate a novel class of natural metabolite-based, non-toxic, and biodegradable polymeric materials based on a polycarbonate of glycerol. The activities in this highly interdisciplinary and cutting-edge research environment will also afford educated and trained undergraduate and graduate students for employment in industry and academia.