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Molecular design and evaluation of biodegradable polymers using a statistical approach

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Abstract

The challenging paradigm of bioresorbable polymers, whether in drug delivery or tissue engineering, states that a fine-tuning of the interplay between polymer properties (e.g., thermal, degradation), and the degree of cell/tissue replacement and remodeling is required. In this paper we describe how changes in the molecular architecture of a series of terpolymers allow for the design of polymers with varying glass transition temperatures and degradation rates. The effect of each component in the terpolymers is quantified via design of experiment (DoE) analysis. A linear relationship between terpolymer components and resulting Tg (ranging from 34 to 86 °C) was demonstrated. These findings were further supported with mass-per-flexible-bond analysis. The effect of terpolymer composition on the in vitro degradation of these polymers revealed molecular weight loss ranging from 20 to 60 % within the first 24 h. DoE modeling further illustrated the linear (but reciprocal) relationship between structure elements and degradation for these polymers. Thus, we describe a simple technique to provide insight into the structure property relationship of degradable polymers, specifically applied using a new family of tyrosine-derived polycarbonates, allowing for optimal design of materials for specific applications.

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Acknowledgments

The project described was supported by Award Number P41EB001046 from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging And Bioengineering. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering or the National Institutes of Health. Additional support was provided by the Israeli Chief Scientist’s Brain Gain Program and by the New Jersey Center for Biomaterials at Rutgers University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastics and Polymer Engineering, The Shenkar College of Engineering and Design, 52526, Ramat-Gan, Israel

    Dan Y. Lewitus & Fabian Rios

  2. Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology and Wallenberg Wood Science Center, Royal Institute of Technology, 100 44, Stockholm, Sweden

    Ramiro Rojas

  3. New Jersey Center for Biomaterials, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 145 Bevier Rd., Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA

    Ramiro Rojas & Joachim Kohn

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  1. Dan Y. Lewitus
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Correspondence to Dan Y. Lewitus.

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Lewitus, D.Y., Rios, F., Rojas, R. et al. Molecular design and evaluation of biodegradable polymers using a statistical approach. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 24, 2529–2535 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-013-5008-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-013-5008-0

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