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Poly(Methacrylic Acid) Polymer Hydrogel Capsules: Drug Carriers, Sub‐compartmentalized Microreactors, Artificial Organelles
Author(s) -
Zelikin Alexander N.,
Price Andrew D.,
Städler Brigitte
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.201000765
Subject(s) - microreactor , nanotechnology , methacrylic acid , drug delivery , materials science , polymer , drug carrier , chemistry , catalysis , organic chemistry , polymerization , composite material
Multilayered polymer capsules attract significant research attention and are proposed as candidate materials for diverse biomedical applications, from targeted drug delivery to microencapsulated catalysis and sensors. Despite tremendous efforts, the studies which extend beyond proof of concept and report on the use of polymer capsules in drug delivery are few, as are the developments in encapsulated catalysis with the use of these carriers. In this Concept article, the recent successes of poly(methacrylic acid) hydrogel capsules as carrier vessels for delivery of therapeutic cargo, creation of microreactors, and assembly of sub‐compartmentalized cell mimics are discussed. The developed technologies are outlined, successful applications of these capsules are highlighted, capsules properties which contribute to their performance in diverse applications are discussed, and further directions and plausible developments in the field are suggested.