Dendrimers In Medicine

This valuable new book offers a new perspective on dendrimers that bridges the gap between basic research and applied nanomedicine. It explores the ultimate effectiveness of dendrimers in theranostics, a promising field that combines therapeutics and diagnostics into single multifunctional formulations used to affect therapy or treatment of a disease state. The authors examine the potential uses of dendrimers, which have proven their capabilities in local/systemic drug delivery, physical stabilization of the drug, solubility enhancement of the poorly soluble drugs, and gene delivery.

The dendrimer is a common name of polymers which are characterised by a specific structure, although their chemical composition can be very different. Dendrimers display several characteristics which distinguish them from linear polymers. All dendrimers are synthesised by attaching branched monomers to the central core molecule. Monomers are attached layer by layer. As a result of such a synthesis, dendrimers posses plenty of terminal, reactive groups on their surface and empty internal cavities. Both of these features can be utilised. Soon after the first synthesis in mid-1980's, dendrimers have become interesting and promising molecules for pharmaceutical and technical aims. The last years brought many new facts about dendrimers impact on biological systems. Both, general toxic studies, as well as detailed research devoted to particular cellular compounds, as DNA or lipid bilayer, were carried out. New types of dendrimers were synthesised and new applications appeared.

Dendrimers are a new class of macromolecule increasingly used in the fields of synthetic organic chemistry, biology, medicine and biotechnology. Dendrimers in Medicine and Biotechnology: New Molecular Tools looks at this exciting and rapidly growing area of science. Using an interdisciplinary approach with particular emphasis on biological applications, the book discusses the relationship between the dendrimer molecular motif and its biological properties. A general introduction to the subject of dendrimers, including definitions of terms and symbols, is provided. Subsequent sections discuss topics including dendrimers in biological systems, dendrimers as drug delivery devices, dendrimers in diagnostics and dendrimer drugs. Throughout the book examples from current research are also provided. This book will appeal to a wide range of scientists, including non specialists who require an introduction to dendrimers, as well as those wishing to know more about the application of dendrimers in the field of biology and medicine.

This book will be mainly focussed on the properties and uses of dendrimers and dendrons. The aim of this book is to be the reference book about dendrimers applications. It will not describe all details, but it will give the reader a unique overview of what has currently been done with dendrimers, with numerous references and illustrations. It will be divided in four main parts: Part 1) Generalities, syntheses, characterizations and properties; Part 2) Applications in catalysis; Part 3) Applications for the elaboration or modification of materials; and Part 4) Applications in biology/medicine. The role of the nanometric size and the multiple functions of dendrimers on the properties will be emphasized.

Dendrimer-Based Nanotherapeutics delivers a comprehensive resource on the use of dendrimer-based drug delivery. Advances in the application of nanotechnology in medicine have given rise to multifunctional smart nanocarriers that can be engineered with tunable physicochemical characteristics to deliver one or more therapeutic agent(s) safely and selectively to cancer cells, including intracellular organelle-specific targeting. This book compiles the contribution of dendrimers in the field of nanotechnology to aid researchers in exploring dendrimers in the field of drug delivery and related applications. This book covers the history of the area to the most recent research. The starting chapter covers detailed information about basic properties about dendrimers i.e. properties, nomenclature, synthesis methods, types, characterization of dendrimers, safety and toxicity issues of dendrimers. Further chapters discuss the most recent advancements in the field of dendrimer i.e. dendrimer-drug conjugates, PEGylated dendrimer, dendrimer surface engineering, dendrimer hybrids, dendrimers as solubility enhancement, in targeting and delivery of drugs, as photodynamic therapy, in tissue engineering, as imaging contrast agents, as antimicrobial agents, advances in targeted dendrimers for cancer therapy and future considerations of dendrimers. Dendrimer-Based Nanotherapeutics will help the readers to understand the most recent progress in the field of dendrimer-based research, suitable for pharmaceutical scientists, advanced students, and those working in related healthcare fields. Discusses various routes such as oral, pulmonary, transdermal, delivery and local administration of dendrimer delivery of bioactive Explores a wide range of applications of dendrimer-based drug delivery using the latest advancements in nanomedicine Provides the most recent research on dendrimers as well as context and background, providing a useful resource for all levels of researcher

Dendrimers are repeatedly branched and roughly spherical large molecules. They can be used in various medical applications, such as anticancer polymeric nanomedicines and nanocarriers, gene carriers and vectors in gene delivery, contrast agents for molecular imaging and vaccines against infectious diseases and cancer. The highly branched, multivalent nature and molecular architecture of dendrimers make them ideal tools for a variety of tissue engineering applications. This book describes different categories of dendrimers, their biomedical and physico-chemical applications as well as convergent and divergent syntheses, click chemistry and ligation strategies. It is a rich source of information for researchers in biochemistry and pharmacology working on drug development as well as for organic chemists who are engaged in synthesis of dendrimers.

Examining free-shaped synthetic macromolecules, this guide reveals how dendrimers are used in a variety of scientific applications as a safer, more precise, and more effective way to practice medicine. This book compiles and details cutting-edge research in science and medicine from the interdisciplinary team of the Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences, who are currently revolutionizing drug delivery techniques through the development of engineered nanodevices.