Self-assembly of gelling biopolymer particles. Biopolymers provide a renewable source of structuring agents for a variety of potential uses in food, pharmaceutical and other applications that require bio-compatibility. Swollen biopolymer particles of sub-millimetre size are particularly useful as they combine macroscopic structure formation with an ability to flow and a desirable soft solid texture. Two limitations to the current utilisation of biopolymer particles are that they either cannot be ....Self-assembly of gelling biopolymer particles. Biopolymers provide a renewable source of structuring agents for a variety of potential uses in food, pharmaceutical and other applications that require bio-compatibility. Swollen biopolymer particles of sub-millimetre size are particularly useful as they combine macroscopic structure formation with an ability to flow and a desirable soft solid texture. Two limitations to the current utilisation of biopolymer particles are that they either cannot be predictably produced direct from a dried form, or if they are (e.g. cooked starch granules), there is a lack of scientific understanding that limits use of natural sources without subsequent chemical modification. This project will provide the science & technology to overcome these limitations.Read moreRead less
Synthesis of stimuli-responsive star polymers for controlled drug delivery. The project aims to prepare novel star polymers suitable for drug delivery via controlled radical polymerization techniques. Such star polymers can be employed to release drugs within the human body in a controlled manner over time and are thus able to target specific sites, i.e. a tumor. The release characterisitics are be influenced by the structure and the size of the star polymer, which can easily be altered via cont ....Synthesis of stimuli-responsive star polymers for controlled drug delivery. The project aims to prepare novel star polymers suitable for drug delivery via controlled radical polymerization techniques. Such star polymers can be employed to release drugs within the human body in a controlled manner over time and are thus able to target specific sites, i.e. a tumor. The release characterisitics are be influenced by the structure and the size of the star polymer, which can easily be altered via controlled radical polymerization techniques. These novel stars are expected to improve the release kinetics of the drug comparing to similar structured micelles due to their higher stability upon injection.Read moreRead less