Macroporous Polymers : Production Properties and Biotechnological/Biomedical Applications

Macroporous polymers are rapidly becoming the material of choice for many tissue engineering, bioseparation, and bioprocessing applications. Presented in a systematic way, this book addresses the production, characterization, and application of these polymers. The text considers traditional methods of production, including phase separation polymerization, leaching, foaming, and double emulsion, as well as newly merging methods such as cryogelation. The chapters also detail the various applications of macroporous gels for the separation of biomolecules and for the cultivation of mammalian cells in bioreactors, as well as for tissue engineering.

Macroporous polymers are rapidly becoming the material of choice for many tissue engineering, bioseparation, and bioprocessing applications. However, while important information is scattered about in many different publications, none, to date, have drawn this information together in user-friendly format, until now. Meeting the need for an accessible, organized resource, Macroporous Polymers: Production Properties and Biotechnological/Biomedical Applications supplies a systematic presentation of the production, characterization, and application of these polymers.

The text discusses traditional methods of production, including phase separation polymerization, leaching, foaming, and double emulsion as well as emerging methods such as cryogelation. The chapters also detail the various applications of macroporous gels for the separation of biomolecules and for the cultivation of mammalian cells in bioreactors and for tissue engineering. The book underscores existing and potential problems while providing a solid background on which to base the evaluation of the scientific and commercial value of new developments.

The editors bring together different viewpoints, summarize state-of-the-art achievement, and cover applications in biotechnology, downstream processing, and biomedicine. They have collected the latest research and molded it into a cohesive reference, closing the gap between macromolecular design and production of these gels/polymers and their possible applications. With the intensity of development in this area likely to increase, the foundation provided by this book can help you meet the challenges inherent in the development of new and better materials for new and better applications.