• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2006

The development of functional polymeric materials for biomedical application has progressed on the basis of functionality, biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this paper we review the functional polymeric biomaterialsbased systems and propose a range of biomedical applications in the near future. These systems include the functional biodegradable polymers synthesized in our research laboratory, biodegradable polymeric materials, thermosensitive polymeric materials, cationic polymeric materials, non-condensing polymeric biomaterials, bio-polymeric DNA matrix for tissue engineering, and polymeric biomaterials for RNA interference (RNAi) technology.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.255-266
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• 2008

In tissue engineering, scaffolds play an important role in the growth of cells to 3-D organs or tissues. For the success of tissue engineering, they should be mimicked to meet the requirements of natural extracellular matrix (ECM) in the body, such as mechanical properties, adhesiveness, porosity, biodegradability, and growth factor release, etc. Contrary to other materials, polymeric materials are adequate to engineer scaffolds for tissue engineering because controlling the structure and the ratio of components and designing various shapes and size are possible. In this review, the importance, major characteristics, processes, and recent examples of polymeric scaffolds for tissue engineering applications are discussed.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 1999

• Proceedings of the Polymer Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.44-45
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• 2006

Gene therapy holds great promise for treating various forms of diseases with a genetic origin including cystic fibrosis, different forms of cancer, and cardiovascular disorders. The clinical use of gene therapy treatments is however restricted, mainly because of the absence of safe and efficient gene delivery technologies. In our group, with an aim of developing efficient and nontoxic polymeric gene delivery systems, several novel types of polymeric gene carriers have been designed, synthesized, and evaluated. Herein, I will mainly present our recent work on low molecular weight linear PEI-PEG-PEI triblock copolymers, degradable hyperbranched poly(ester amine)s, and reduction-sensitive poly(amido amine)s.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.189-193
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• 1996

Submicron-sized polymeric particles (SSPP) were used to remove nucleic acids and endotoxins from cell lysates. The positively charged SSPP selectively adsorb nucleic acids and endotoxins and form complexes with them. The complexes can be easily removed by sedimentation or centrifugation. The removal of nucleic acids and endotoxins using SSPP also can be accomplished in the presence of cell and cell debris. Therefore, nucleic acids and endotoxins can be removed in an initial step of the down-stream processes. In bakers yeast and E. coli lysate systems, the level of DNA could be reduced more than three orders of magnitudes and endotoxins more than seven orders of magnitudes concurrently willi the cell debris removal process using SSPP.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.2-8
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• 2003

The self-assembly of polymers can lead to supramolecular systems and is related to the their functions of material and life sciences. In this article, self-assembly of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films, polymer micelles, and polymeric nanoparticles, and their biomedical applications are described. LB surfaces with a well-ordered and layered structure adhered more cells including platelet, hepatocyte, and fibroblast than the cast surfaces with microphase-separated domains. Extensive morphologic changes were observed in LB surface-adhered cells compared to the cast films. Amphiphilic block copolymers, consisting of poly(${\gamma}$-benzyl L-glutamate) (PBLG) as the hydrophobic part and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) [or poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)] as the hydrophilic one, can self-assemble in water to form nanoparticles presumed to be composed of the hydrophilic shell and hydrophobic core. The release characteristics of hydrophobic drugs from these polymeric nanoparticles were dependent on the drug loading contents and chain length of the hydrophobic part of the copolymers. Achiral hydrophobic merocyanine dyes (MDs) were self-assembled in copolymeric nanoparticles, which provided a chiral microenvironment as red-shifted aggregates, and the circular dichroism (CD) of MD was induced in the self-assembled copolymeric nanoparticles.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.171-174
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• 2007

Sericin beads were prepared from ethanol-precipitated sericin. The addition of ethanol into hot-water extracted sericin solution induced precipitation of sericin and thereby some sericin could be fractionated. The ethanol-precipitated sericin (EpSS) had narrower molecular weight distribution than original sericin. The EpSS had mainly random coil structure with small portion of ${\beta}-sheet$ structure. With the EpSS, spherical beads could be prepared at lower concentration than with original sericin due to higher viscosity. The EpSS beads had better compressive strength than the original sericin beads and had rubber-like property. Our results suggest that EpSS is more compatible in the polymeric field, since it has better mechanical strength than original sericin.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.113-128
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• 2014

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine strategies could offer new hope for patients with serious tissue injuries or end-stage organ failure. Scientists are now applying the principles of cell transplantation, material science, and engineering to create biological substitutes that can restore and maintain normal function in diseased or injured tissues/organs. Specifically, creation of engineered tissue construct requires a polymeric biomaterial scaffold that serves as a cell carrier, which would provide structural support until native tissue forms in vivo. Even though the requirements for scaffolds may be different depending on the target applications, a general function of scaffolds that need to be fulfilled is biodegradability, biological and mechanical properties, and temporal structural integrity. The scaffold's internal architecture should also enhance the permeability of nutrients and neovascularization. In addition, the stem cell field is advancing, and new discoveries in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine will lead to new therapeutic strategies. Although use of stem cells is still in the research phase, some therapies arising from tissue engineering endeavors that make use of autologous adult cells have already entered the clinic. This review discusses these tissue engineering and regenerative medicine strategies for various tissues and organs.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.393-400
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• 2009

PHEA (hydroxyethyl-aspartamide)-mPEG (methoy-polyethyleneglycol)-$C_{16}$ (hexadecylamine)-ED (ethylenediamine) was prepared as a drug delivery carrier. The structure and molecular weight of polymers were characterized by $^1H$-NMR and gel permeation chromatography. Micelle size and shape were measured by electro-photometer light scattering and transmission electron microscope. The mean diameter of micelles was 23 nm in aqueous solution. To evaluate the potential of these polymeric micelles as a drug carrier, PSI-mPEG-$C_{16}$-ED was conjugated with Cy5.5 for Near-Infrared Fluorescent (NIRF) based optical imaging. PSI-mPEG-$C_{16}$-ED-Cy5.5 was injected intravenously into mice (n=5) and in vivo NIRF imaging was performed during 48 h after injection. The biodistribution study at 24 h after injection showed the longcirculation property of PSI-mPEG-$C_{16}$-ED-Cy5.5. Therefore, PSI-mPEG-$C_{16}$-ED micelles could be a promising drug carrier and imaging agent.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.379-383
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• 2004

Poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs) are unique in their material properties, such as biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and water-solublizing ability, which are extremely useful for a variety of biomedical applications. In addition, a variety of functional PEGs with specific functionality at one or both chain ends have been synthesized for many specialized applications. Surface modifications using PEG have been demonstrated to decrease protein adsorption and platelet or cell adhesion on biomaterials. Furthermore, PEGs having anionic sulfonate terminal units have been proven to enhance the blood compatibility of materials, which has been demonstrated by the negative cilia concept. The preparation of telechelic PEGs having a sulfonic acid group at one end and a polymerizable methacryloyl group at the other is an interesting undertaking for providing macromers that can be used in various vinyl copolymerization and gel systems. In this paper, preliminary results on the synthesis and polymerization behavior of a novel PEG macromer is described with the aim of identifying a biocompatible material for applications in various blood-contacting devices.