Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
size, shape, polarity, and other parameters that must be fulfi lled to satisfy the strict
demands of the given receptor [58].
10.5
Future Perspectives of Biodegradable Dendrimers
Now, it is possible to precisely manipulate dendrimers for their molecular weight
and chemical composition, thereby to allow predictable tuning of its biocompatibil-
ity and pharmacokinetics [40].
Degradable polymeric systems have wide perspective in several established and
emerging technologies such as controlled-release systems for drug delivery and
photoresist methodology for microlithography among other applications [59-61]
As the demand increases, the higher levels of control over the structure, properties,
and performance of degradable materials would be desired [18, 20]. So far few
groups have addressed the strategies for the controlled degradation of dendritic
structures or the implications of the development of such systems. Researchers
have now shown the perspectives of biodegradable dendrimers and for sure such
forms will fi nd immense implications in biology.
Advances in realizing the role of molecular weight and architecture on the
in
vivo
behavior of dendrimers, together with recent progress in the design of biode-
gradable chemistries, have enabled the application of these branched polymers as
antiviral drugs, tissue repair scaffolds, and targeted carriers of chemotherapeutics.
It is expected that the products could reach the market soon and therefore the fi eld
must address the long-term human and environmental health consequences of
dendrimer exposure
in vivo
.
The synergy due to biodegradation, multivalency, and size in nanoscale has a
range of options to impart chemical “smartness” along their molecular scaffold to
achieve environment-sensitive modalities; such materials are envisioned to revo-
lutionize the existing therapeutic practices [14]. Therefore, biodegradable dendritic
architectures are expected to lead to new strategies for
nanomedicine
as well as
regenerative medicine
.
10.6
Concluding Remarks
The diverse dendritic structures with multiple functional groups at the periphery
for chemical modifi cations render dendrimers to tune biological properties. The
potential virtue of dendrimers comes under the heading of “multivalancy”: the
enhanced effect that stems from lots of identical molecules being present at
the same time and place [14, 19]. Dendrimers have shown to enter into the cells
remarkably easily, with a potential to deliver drugs at the targeted site. Further-
more, there has been great emphasis to achieve the release of a drug at various
pH environments. However, most demanding aspect of dendrimers is to construct
