Synthesis and characterization of new thermogelling block copolymers consisting of poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate], poly(ethylene glycol), and poly(propylene glycol)

POLY 690

Xian Jun Loh, Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), National University of Singapore (NUS), 3 Research Link, Singapore, 117602, Singapore, Suat Hong Goh, chmgohsh@nus.edu.sg, Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore, and Jun Li, Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) & Division of Bioengineering, National University of Singapore (NUS), 3 Research Link, Singapore 117602, Singapore.
We have synthesized a series of new biodegradable multiblock poly(ether ester urethane)s consisting of poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] (PHB), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) blocks. The new amphiphilic multiblock copolymers can form thermosensitive hydrogels with tunable properties at very low polymer concentrations, which are much lower than currently reported values of other similar thermogeling copolymers in the literature. It seems that the combination of having high molecular weights as well as incorporation of PHB segments into the amphiphilic thermosensitive copolymers significantly improved the gel properties compared with the Pluronics copolymers and/or other similar thermogelling systems. Our controlled release kinetics studies have shown that the new copolymers potentially provide an excellent biodegradable delivery system for controlled release of protein drugs.
 

7th International Biorelated Polymers Symposium
1:30 PM-3:40 PM, Thursday, 14 September 2006 San Francisco Marriott -- Salon 14/15, Oral

Division of Polymer Chemistry

The 232nd ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, September 10-14, 2006