Working Group of Bioactive and Degradable Polymers

Head: Prof. Frantisek Rypacek, PhD
(phone +420-296 809 241, +420-296 809 111, e-mail ryp@imc.cas.cz)

Research

Molecular properties of biomedical polymers, such as molecular weight, chemical constitution, conformation and side chain modification, determine their interactions with components of biological environment, cells and tissues, their biodistribution, retention and excretion from the organism, immunogenicity, etc. In a broader context, the program of the Group deals with the relations between polymer properties and their biological interactions. Basic studies are aimed at finding fundamental knowledge necessary for rational development of new biomedical or pharmaceutical polymers. The research focuses primarily on the synthesis and properties of fully biodegradable polymers based on derivatives of synthetic poly(alpha-amino acid)s, poly(hydroxyalkanoic acid)s and polysaccharides and their development leading to novel biomaterials and pharmaceutical polymers.

At present, following projects are elaborated:

• Synthesis of amphiphilic block copolymers containing poly(alpha-amino acid), poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(lactic acid) blocks using living polymerization techniques and study of organized supramolecular structures of copolymers at polymer surfaces and polymer/solution interfaces.
• Bioactive polymer materials containing functionalized block copolymers based on polylactide to control their cell adhesion properties; studies of polymer - cell interactions and applications in cell therapy and tissue regeneration.
• Polymer structures for tissue engineering of skin and of vascular tissues.
• Controlled drug release of biologically active compounds from polylactide-based biomaterials designed for application in cardiovascular area.
• Fundamental studies on the transport of macromolecules in lungs and development of polymer systems for drug delivery to lungs.
• Polyamide and polyester nanocomposites with layered silicates (polymer - clay hybrids).
• Mechanism and kinetics of amide bond degradation in polyamides.