This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Stimuli-Responsive Gels" that was published in Gels

This book covers fundamental aspects in the preparation of polymeric in-situ, stimuli-responsive hydrogels; the properties, characterization, chemistry, and fabrication of these hydrogels is detailed, helping the reader to select the most appropriate material and design for the desired application. The book goes on to review applications in ophthalmic drug delivery, covering in vitro and in vivo models, animal models, preclinical testing, patents and more. Stimuli-responsive Hydrogels for Ophthalmic Drug Delivery is a must-have reference for researchers and academics in the fields of materials science, biomaterials, pharmacology and polymer science, with an interest in clinical aspects of hydrogel design and application. - Provides step-by-step coverage for engineering in-situ and stimuli-responsive hydrogels, from design, characterization, and toxicity considerations to fabrication, process optimization, and drug release kinetics - Utilizes an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together authors from pharmacology, polymer science, and medical backgrounds - Details the advantages and challenges of using stimuli-responsive hydrogels for ophthalmic drug delivery, with a focus on clinical translation

Stimuli Responsive Polymeric Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery Applications, Volume One: Types and Triggers discusses, in detail, the recent trends in designing biodegradable and biocompatible single-responsive polymers and nanoparticles for safe drug delivery. Focusing on the most advanced materials and technologies, evaluation methods, and advanced synthesis techniques stimuli-responsive polymers, the book is an essential reference for scientists with an interest in drug delivery vehicles. Sections focus on innovation, development and the increased global demand for biodegradable and biocompatible responsive polymers and nanoparticles for safe drug delivery. - Offers an in-depth look at the basic and fundamental aspects of alternative stimuli-responsive polymers, mechanisms, structure, synthesis and properties - Provides a well-defined categorization for stimuli-responsive polymers for drug delivery based on different triggering mechanisms - Discusses novel approaches and challenges for scaling up and commercialization of stimuli-responsive polymers

This book is part of a series dedicated to recent advances on preventive, predictive and personalised medicine (PPPM). It focuses on the theme of “Drug delivery systems: advanced technologies potentially applicable in personalised treatments”. The critical topics involving the development and preparation of effective drug delivery systems, such as: polymers available, self-assembly, nanotechnology, pharmaceutical formulations, three dimensional structures, molecular modeling, tailor-made solutions and technological tendencies, are carefully discussed. The understanding of these areas constitutes a paramount route to establish personalised and effective solutions for specific diseases and individuals.

With its content taken from only the very latest results, this is an extensive summary of the various polymeric materials used for biomedical applications. Following an introduction listing various functional polymers, including conductive, biocompatible and conjugated polymers, the book goes on to discuss different synthetic polymers that can be used, for example, as hydrogels, biochemical sensors, functional surfaces, and natural degradable materials. Throughout, the focus is on applications, with worked examples for training purposes as well as case studies included. The whole is rounded off with a look at future trends.

Hydrogels, as three-dimensional polymer networks, are able to retain a large amount of water in their swollen state. The biomedical application of hydrogels was initially hampered by the toxicity of cross-linking agents and the limitations of hydrogel formation under physiological conditions. However, emerging knowledge in polymer chemistry and an increased understanding of biological processes have resulted in the design of versatile materials and minimally invasive therapies.The novel but challenging properties of hydrogels are attracting the attention of researchers in the biological, medical, and pharmaceutical fields. In the last few years, new methods have been developed for the preparation of hydrophilic polymers and hydrogels, which may be used in future biomedical and drug delivery applications. Such efforts include the synthesis of self-organized nanostructures based on triblock copolymers with applications in controlled drug delivery. These hydrogels could be used as carriers for drug delivery when combined with the techniques of drug imprinting and subsequent release. Engineered protein hydrogels have many potential advantages. They are excellent biomaterials and biodegradables. Furthermore, they could encapsulate drugs and be used in injectable forms to replace surgery, to repair damaged cartilage, in regenerative medicine, or in tissue engineering. Also, they have potential applications in gene therapy, although this field is relatively new.

Research and new tools in biomaterials development by using peptides are currently growing, as more functional and versatile building blocks are used to design a host of functional biomaterials via chemical modifications for health care applications. It is a field that is attracting researchers from across soft matter science, molecular engineering and biomaterials science. Covering the fundamental concepts of self-assembly, design and synthesis of peptides, this book will provide a solid introduction to the field for those interested in developing functional biomaterials by using peptide derivatives. The bioactive nature of the peptides and their physical properties are discussed in various applications in biomedicine. This book will help researchers and students working in biomaterials and biomedicine fields and help their understanding of modulating biological processes for disease diagnosis and treatments.