| abstract |
The present invention relates to stereocomplex hydrogels for drug delivery and tissue engineering. These hydrogels comprise a block or graft polymer having at least one hydrophilic moiety and at least two degradable moieties with a high enantiomeric concentration representative of the graft or terminal block. In the hydrogel, degradable sites with opposite chirality form racemic crystallites, causing physical cross-linking of the polymer. Further disclosed is the importance of degradable block end groups on the degradability of the hydrogel. Hydrogels obtained from polymers characterized by the absence of terminal hydroxyl groups at the degradable sites are particularly stable and have a long drug life and a high drug sustained release capability over a long period of time, such as weeks or months. I understand. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of making a hydrogel composition, a kit that can prepare a hydrogel, and the use of the hydrogel. |