Microstructural understanding of hydrocolloid and mixed hydrocolloid systems for biomedical applications

Norton, Abigail Belinda (2016). Microstructural understanding of hydrocolloid and mixed hydrocolloid systems for biomedical applications. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Hydrocolloid materials have been used for some time in the fields of regenerative medicine and drug delivery. Despite a significant body of work, to date the majority of research in the area has focused on relatively simple compositions and microstructures. In comparison, the food industry has long used refined and often subtle methods to structure and thereby tailor the release and handling properties of a vast range of similar materials. In this thesis, a range of processing methodologies has been used to generate novel materials intended for use in the regenerative medicine and drug delivery using gellan and kappa carrageenan. The thesis demonstrates how even small changes in process conditions can result in significant changes in the way a material handles and may deliver therapeutic molecules. This thesis has demonstrated that gellan can be used to form robust quiescent structures, as well as shear thinning fluid materials by changing the processing and formulation. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that it was possible to generate a novel cell delivery device by the hydration of kappa carrageenan in warm biomedical buffers.
Overall this thesis demonstrates the range and complexity of structures that can be produced using the relatively small number of polymers.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):