Designed Delivery Novel Hydrogels for Drug Delivery from Precisely-Structured Networks (2009-2011)
Abstract
Polymer hydrogels form one of the most important classes of biomaterials, with many applications in medicine. Understanding the diffusion of molecules, water, protein and drugs through hydrogels is critical to successful application of hydrogels in challenging environments. In this proposal we will use modern synthetic routes to prepare novel hydrogels; these will be characterised by a comprehensive suite of modern techniques, and this knowledge will be used to develop new models describing the diffusion of solutes through network polymers. The outcomes will be new materials for drug delivery, a greatly improved understanding of diffusion processes, and the ability to design hydrogels for specific medical applications.
