Biopolymer Modification
As biocompatible, sustainable and polyfunctional materials, natural biopolymers represent interesting starting polymers for new biomaterials. We particularly concentrate on the specific chemical modification of selected polysaccharides (e.g. dextran, chitosan, alginic acid, levan as well as glycosaminoglycans, such as hyaluronic acid or chondroitin sulfate). In this way, the characteristics profile of the polymers can be adapted to individual customer requirements.
We specialize in implementing the following modifications:
- Specific control of the molecular weight with narrow molar mass distribution by using different degradation methods (thermal, enzymatic, oxidative, e.g. ozonolysis)
- Selective sulfation of selected biopolymers (hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulphate, chitosan, alginic acids) with adjustable sulphate group content
- Introduction of crosslinkable groups (e.g. methacrylates, acrylates, alkyne groups) for the formation of hydrogel networks
- Introduction of additional anionic functions (carboxyalkyl groups) and resulting subsequent chemistry
- Introduction of amino groups (e.g. amino group-functionalized dextran or hyaluronic acid)
- Synthesis of water- and organo-soluble chitosan derivatives and organo-soluble dextran (silylation)
- Introduction of marker groups in biopolymers (e.g. fluorescent dyes, biotin)
We would be pleased to take over your custom synthesis. Detailed information about the synthesizable compounds can be found here.
