Biocompatible templates

Template synthesized silica nanotubes (SNTs) provide unique features such as end functionalization to control drug release, inner voids for loading biomolecules, and distinctive inner and outer surfaces that can be differentially functionalized for targeting and biocompatibility.50 A general path to synthesize nanotubes utilizes anisotropic materials as template. They are coated with silica using Si(OR)4 precursors and nanotubes of Si02 are obtained after removal of the template (Figure 1.24). 

Fig. 10b) for the CaC03 cores. About a half of the protein (lactalbumin) molecules initially adsorbed in the CaCC>3 particles are kept in the formed capsules [111]. Peptidase a-chymotrypsin encapsulated into the matrix-type capsules keeps 85% of the initial enzymatic activity [116], The capsules fabricated with biocompatible polymers like ALG and templated on biocompatible CaC03 cores are promising species for controlled delivery [113],... 

If the idea of anticipating at a molecular level the interactions between the biological and the synthetic systems through the preparation of blends has resulted in successful biomaterials with improved biocompatibility, then the template polymerisation can share the same advantages as those of blends from preformed polymer, or even represent further progress in such a direction. 

Yu AM, Wang Y, Barlow E, et al. (2005) Mesoporous silica particles as templates for preparing enzyme-loaded biocompatible microcapsules. Adv Mater 17 1737-1741... 

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