Tuned polyurethanes for soft tissue regeneration

PhD ceremony: Ms. D. Jovanovic, 13.15 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Title: Tuned polyurethanes for soft tissue regeneration

Promotor(s) prof. A.J. Schouten, prof. J.A. van Luyn

Faculty: Medical Sciences

The applications of tissue engineering are increasing rapidly in biomedicine. Researcher Daniela Jovanovic developed new synthetic biomaterials for scaffolds that can be used for soft tissue regeneration, and possibly new tissue and organ formation, for example blood vessels or heart tissue. The focus of this research was on the development of biodegradable scaffolds. This is a crucial aspect for application, since recovery only occurs when physiological turnover and new tissue formation are balanced. Several commercially available biomaterials were modified with the aim to alter the biodegrading properties. The results are promising, because the new materials were incorporated well.