Investigation into a thermo-sensitive chitosan/β-glycerophosphate hydrogel for ocular wound-healing

Walsh, Anna (2015). Investigation into a thermo-sensitive chitosan/β-glycerophosphate hydrogel for ocular wound-healing. University of Birmingham. M.Res.

Preview

Walsh15MRes.pdf
PDF - Accepted Version
Download (940kB)

Abstract

The chitosan/β-glycerophosphate (CGP) hydrogel is a reasonably well understood thermo-sensitive system that has been widely used as the basis for successful tissue engineering and drug delivery systems. The aim of this project was to characterise an optimal CGP gel composition for a novel ocular wound-management system. Whilst much research has been done into the potential applications of the CGP system over the past few decades, no literature is currently available on the CGP-decorin combination which was the focus of this project. More specifically, the potential for this system to prevent serious visual impairments by way of delivering corneal-healing drugs is yet to be investigated. Rheological measurements of various gel compositions and release profiling experiments were performed to characterise the effectiveness of the system. The gel was also tested for cytotoxicity and for its effectiveness against a range of clinically isolated multi-resistant bacteria to determine its potential for biomedical application. Results show that a successful thermo-sensitive CGP system, that is liquid at room temperature and which gels at around physiological pH, has been produced and is able to release both antimicrobial peptide and anti-scarring drugs. The gel has no cytotoxic effect on corneal fibroblast cells and is effective in limiting the colony growth of a number of multi-resistant bacteria. The results show that this system has positive potential for ocular wound-healing.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Res.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Res.

Supervisor(s):