Enzyme-responsive polymers properties, synthesis and applications

ZELZER, University of Nottingham, UK and R. V. ULIJN, University of Strathclyde, UK [Pg.166]

Key words enzyme-responsive materials (ERMs), regenerative medicine and drug delivery applications, polymer hydrogels and scaffolds, supramolecular particles and self-assembly polymer particles. [Pg.166]

Enzyme-responsive polymers stand apart from other stimuli-responsive polymers in their ability to respond to a biological molecule to regulate the function of natural materials. Ihis is both a strength and a limitation while enzyme-responsive polymers are uniquely suited to perform tasks in their niche area (i.e., in a biological surrounding), they cannot readily be used in other applications that do not preserve the activity of enzymes. [Pg.166]

Within their designed areas of application, however, the versatility of enzyme-responsive polymers is unmatched by any other stimuli-responsive materials. Enzyme-responsive polymers have found applications as cell supports, injectable scaffolds and drug delivery systems and have been integrated with other stimuli-responsive polymers to obtain materials with closely tailored stimuli-responsive characteristics. While research in the development of enzyme-responsive materials (ERMs) is still in its early [Pg.166]

2 Enzyme-responsive materials rationale, definition and history [Pg.167]

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