| TECHNOLOGY |
Biodendrimer seals wounds in corneas
Novel polymers that are hybrids of linear and dendritic macromolecules can effectively seal lacerations in corneas. Researchers synthesized and characterized the polymers, which are composed of glycerol, succinic acid, and polyethylene glycol (PEG). The polyester dendritic units branch off from both ends of the linear PEG core. To create a material that can serve as a temporary scaffold for tissue growth or repair, the researchers cap the tips of the dendrimers with methacrylate groups that can be photo-cross-linked. they treat wounds in corneas by applying the polymers in vitro and irradiating with a laser. The resulting dendritic gel seals the cuts more effectively than conventional sutures. "The unique properties associated with dendritic macromolecules--including low polydispersity index, low viscosity, and a large number of functionalizable end groups--combined with a high-yield iterative synthetic approach, afford macromolecules ideally suited for basic and clinical studies,"
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