Synthetic polymers are promising candidates for customized biomedical applications due to versatility of structural modifications to meet the need of specific applications. In this talk, we will be presenting our recent developments of nature-inspired polymers for artificial bones, cardiovascular applications, and tissue recovery. Poly(thioether-co-carbonate) materials were synthesized from tris(alloc)quinic acid (TAQA) and multifunctional thiols. Quinic acid is abundant in coffee beans and plant-based food and can be metabolized by bacteria in guts. The TAQA polymers showed storage modulus of 1.4 GPa, which can be comparable to moduli of cancellous bones, and provided viable environment for preosteoblast cells. Degradation compounds from the polymer were also tested to be benign to cells. Poly(honokiol carbonate) (PHC) and a series of thermosets were synthesized from tree-based honokiol and magnolol and tested for cardiovascular applications. 3D-printed PHC and magnolol thermosets were tested with vascular endothelial cells, which maintained a monolayer of viable cells on the substrate even after a month. Furthermore, magnolol thermosets showed scavenger effect for reactive oxygen species (ROS). Hydrolytic degradation and swelling properties of magnolol thermosets also exhibited great potential as a drug-eluting material for vascular stents and coatings. Soft polymers have different categories of biomedical applications such as artificial tissue for wound healing and tissue rejuvenation. A hydrogel system from poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(dl-allylglycine) (PEG-b-PDLAG) mixed with fibroblast cells were tested for viability. As the hydrogel degraded in cell culture medium, cells were released to the cell culture plate and proliferated on the substrate. Cells showed high viability even after captured for a week in the hydrogel due to the porous structure of the hydrogel that allows penetration of nutrition and air. Our study showed that nature-inspired synthetic polymers can be environment-friendly tools for on-demand materials to meet the need of specific applications with relatively simple and cost-effective synthesis methods.

Soon-Mi Lim

Texas A&M University College Station

Appearances