Polysaccharide biomaterials

An entire new genus of "polymer therapeutics" has emerged with wide applicability, including as mechanical supports, mechanical barriers, artificial tissue/organs, and pro-drug preparations with pharmacological effects. Polysaccharides are a class of biopolymers formed from many monosaccharide units joined together by glycosidic linkages. The physical properties of carbohydrates, such as solubility, gelation, and surface properties, are dictated by the monosaccharide composition, chain shapes, and molecular weight. These macromolecules exhibit good hemocompatibility, are non-toxic, and show unique biological functions, ranging from cell signaling to immune recognition. With few exceptions, they are more economical in comparison with others biopolymers. Polysaccharide-based polymers have been widely proposed as scaffold materials in tissue engineering applications as well as carriers for drug delivery.