This book introduces recent progress in stimuli-responsive interfaces constructed on colloidal materials such as micelles and vesicles and on solid material surfaces. There is discussion of the effect of stimuli such as light, heat, pH, and electric field on changes in the morphology of the molecules at the interfaces and that of colloidal materials. The changes in the properties, such as gelation ability, dispersibility, and emulsification ability, of the resultant bulk materials containing these colloidal materials or those of the solid material are also covered. In addition, design criteria for high sensitivity, quick responsiveness, and high reversibility are presented. In each author’s original system, the correlations between molecular-level responses and bulk functional responses are described as well. This book serves as an excellent guide to designing and fabricating novel, functional, eco-friendly stimuli-responsive interfaces and related materials.

The ability for a material to change properties in response to external stimuli is an attractive feature for numerous applications and as such stimuli responsive materials are gaining attention across many different fields. This book introduces the concepts of stimuli-responsiveness, including the fundamental materials properties required for design. It provides readers with comprehensive scientific principles and developments of stimuli responsive materials, as well as the recent technological advances. Written by a renowned expert in the field, this book is suitable for anyone interested in stimuli responsive materials working in polymers, biochemistry, biotechnology and materials science.

Superhydrophobic surfaces, artificially mimicking lotus leaves, have captured the attention of scientists and engineers over the past few decades. Recent trends have shifted from superhydrophobicity to superominipohobicity, or superamphiphobicity. In addition, dynamic rather than static surface wetting/dewetting properties, which can be triggered by various stimuli, including temperature, pH, magnetic/electric fields, solvents, light exposure etc, have been highly sought after for commercial applications. This book will focus on recent topics related to various stimuli-responsive wetting/dewetting surfaces, and give an overview of the knowledge and concepts of how to design and establish these smart artificial surfaces, which can be used for technical developments in a wide variety research fields.

The increased understanding of molecular aspects associated with chronic diseases, such as cancer and the role of tumor microenvironment, has led to the identification of endogenous and exogenous stimuli that can be exploited to devise “stimuli-responsive” materials for site-specific drug delivery applications. This book provides a comprehensive account on the design, materials chemistry, and application aspects behind these novel stimuli-responsive materials. Setting the scene, the editors open with a chapter addressing the need for smart materials in delivery applications for therapy, imaging and disease diagnosis. The following chapter describes the key physical and chemical aspects of smart materials, from lipids to polymers to hybrid materials, providing the reader with a springboard to delve into the more application oriented chapters that follow. With in-depth coverage of key drug delivery systems such as pH-responsive, temperature responsive, enzyme-responsive and light responsive systems, this book provides a rigorous foundation to the field. A perfect resource for graduate students and newcomers, the closing chapter on regulatory and commercialization challenges also makes the book ideal for those wanting to take the next step towards clinical translation.

Stimuli-Responsive Nanocarriers: Recent Advances in Tailor-Made Therapeutics compiles dispersed knowledge into a complete and comprehensive source to help researchers understand and progress stimuli-responsive nanocarriers. The book contains recent advancements made in the field of stimuli-responsive nanocarriers with their application in controlled drug delivery against various diseases. It focuses on the design, mechanism, construction, therapeutic application and future challenges of stimuli-responsive nanocarriers which will help new researchers in designing next generation tailor-made advanced therapeutics. Finally, the book covers future aspects and challenges present in the route of development of stimuli responsive nanocarriers for disease therapeutics. Various recent advances and biomedical applications assembled in this book will guide scientists on how to design and develop novel controlled drug release systems. - Provides comprehensive knowledge of basic design, mechanism and construction of nanocarrier based stimuli-responsive drug releases - Explores various nanocarriers characteristically used in the development of stimuli-responsive drug release systems - Envisages future opportunities, challenges and implementation of nanocarrier based stimuli-responsive drug release systems in disease therapeutics

Adopting a broad approach, this volume provides the scientific community with a much-needed overview of developments and scientific findings in stimuli-responsive materials. Its primary focus is on the designing, synthesizing, formulating, and processing of materials that lead to an understanding of the scientific principles governing response driven functions leading to future technologies. The highly experienced and internationally renowned editor has assembled a team of leading scientists from the interdisciplinary areas of: * polymers * biopolymers * biochemistry * biophysics * biomaterials * bioengineering * materials engineering * biotechnology * chemistry * physics * ceramics * metals * and materials science. A combination that guarantees a unique and high-quality handbook.

Nanogels are three-dimensional nanosized networks that are formed by physically or chemically cross-linking polymers. They have been explored as a drug-delivery system due to their biocompatibility, high stability, particle-size adjustment, drug-loading capability and modification of the surface for active targeting by cognate receptors on the target cells of tissues. Nanogels can respond to stimuli such as pH, temperature, light and redox, which results in the controlled release of drugs and targeting of site by environmental stimuli and prevents accumulation in non-target tissues, minimizing the side effects of the drug. This book aims to provide a general introduction to nanogels and the design of various stimuli-sensitive nanogels that can control drug release in response to specific stimuli.

Stimuli Responsive Polymeric Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery Applications: Volume Two: Advanced Nanocarriers for Therapeutics discusses, in detail, the recent trends in designing dual and multi-responsive polymers and nanoparticles for safe drug delivery. Chapters cover dual-responsive polymeric nanocarriers for drug delivery and their different stimuli, multi-responsive polymeric nanocarriers, and the therapeutic applications of stimuli-responsive polymers. With an emphasis on advanced medical applications and synergistic operational and technological methodologies for the improvement of polymers systems for the production of stimuli-responsive polymers, this book is essential reading for materials scientists and researchers working in the drug delivery and pharmaceutical industries. As innovation and development in the area of stimuli responsive polymer-based nanomaterials for drug delivery is moving fast and there is an increased global demand for biodegradable and biocompatible responsive polymers and nanoparticles for safe drug delivery, users will find this to be a timely resource. - Focusses on the most advanced technologies, recent evaluation methods, technical aspects, and advanced synthesis techniques stimuli-responsive polymers - Examines advanced medical applications of stimuli responsive polymers - Analyzes synergistic operational and technological methodologies for the improvement of polymer systems for the production of stimuli-responsive polymers in drug delivery

A comprehensive discussion of various types of nanoengineered biomaterials and their applications In Nanoengineering of Biomaterials: Drug Delivery & Biomedical Applications, an expert team of chemists delivers a succinct exploration of the synthesis, characterization, in-vitro and in-vivo drug molecule release, pharmacokinetic activity, pharmacodynamic activity, and the biomedical applications of several types of nanoengineered biomaterials. The editors have also included resources to highlight the most current developments in the field. The book is a collection of valuable and accessible reference sources for researchers in materials chemistry and related disciplines. It uses a functions-directed approach to using organic and inorganic source compounds that translate into biological systems as scaffolds, micelles, dendrimers, and other delivery systems. Nanoengineering of Biomaterials offers readers up-to-date chemistry and material science insights that are readily transferrable to biomedical systems. The book also includes: Thorough introductions to alginate nanoparticle delivery of therapeutics and chitosan-based nanomaterials in biological applications Comprehensive explorations of nanostructured carrageenan as a drug carrier, gellan gum nanoparticles in drug delivery, and guar-gum nanoparticles in the delivery of bioactive molecules Practical discussions of protein-based nanoparticles for drug delivery, solid lipid nanoparticles as drug carriers, and pH-responsive nanoparticles in therapy In-depth examinations of stimuli-responsive nano carriers in drug targeting Perfect for pharmaceutical chemists, materials scientists, polymer chemists, life scientists, and medicinal chemists, Nanoengineering of Biomaterials: Drug Delivery and Biomedical Applications is also an indispensable resource for biologists and bioengineers seeking a one-stop reference on the transferability of materials chemistry and nanotechnology to biomedicine.

First published in 1943, Vitamins and Hormones is the longest-running serial published by Academic Press. The Editorial Board now reflects expertise in the field of hormone action, vitamin action, X-ray crystal structure, physiology and enzyme mechanisms. Under the capable and qualified editorial leadership of Dr. Gerald Litwack, Vitamins and Hormones continues to publish cutting-edge reviews of interest to endocrinologists, biochemists, nutritionists, pharmacologists, cell biologists and molecular biologists. Others interested in the structure and function of biologically active molecules like hormones and vitamins will, as always, turn to this series for comprehensive reviews by leading contributors to this and related disciplines. This volume focuses on stem cell regulators. - Longest running series published by Academic Press - Contributions by leading international authorities