Events

Dr. Franck Wiesbrock (Graz University of Technology) "Crosslinked Poly(2-Oxazoline)s and Poly(hydroxyalkanoate)s: Novel Polymeric Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications"

Date: Tuesday 14 February 2012 10:15 - 11:00

Location: SEMS Seminar Room

Title: "Crosslinked Poly(2-Oxazoline)s and Poly(hydroxyalkanoate)s:
Novel Polymeric Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications".

Abstract
This talk will provide a short overview of my research on poly(2-oxazoline)s and poly(hydroxyalkanoate)s, motivated by the demand for novel polymer-based materials with targeted properties. In order to allow for desktop-planning of the design and synthesis of further optimised materials, the structure-property correlations were continuously focussed on.
The microwave-assisted cationic ring-opening polymerisation of 2-oxazolines has proven to be a versatile method for the preparation of well-defined polymers and (block) copolymers. Accelerations of up to 350-fold can be achieved, while the livingness of the polymerisation is maintained. Due to the narrow distribution of average molecular weights, polymer properties can be retraced to the molecular level, and well-ordered morphologies can be obtained in the solid state. Derived from this synthetic routine, poly(2-oxazoline)-based hydrogels and contact biocides have been developed. The poly(2-oxazoline)-based hydrogels are the first congeners of this material class that enable for post-synthetic loading with active pharmaceutical ingredients and subsequent stimuli-triggered compound release. The contact biocides exhibit prime activity against all bacteria and fungi tested after mechanical anchoring into commodity polymers like polypropylene.
In the second part of the talk, the crosslinking of poly(hydroxyalkanoate)s according to temperature- and UV-induced reactions will be introduced. Usage of an ethylene glycol-based crosslinker yields degradable biopolyesters with enhanced hydrophilicity that are currently tested in animal experiments for their in-vivo performance.