Degradable Thiol-ene Polymers

Abstract

A thiol-ene polymeric material is disclosed. The material is produced by the photopolymerization of reactants having thiol and olefin moieties. The material can incorporate encapsulated components, including cells. Additionally, the material can be derivatized by reacting the polymeric material with components such as proteins.

1 . A polymeric material comprising repeating units of the formula:  
         —[—S—R 1 —S—C—C—R 2 —C—C]— 
       wherein R 1  and R 2  are independent linkers, at least one of R 1  and R 2  are degradable, and the polymeric material comprises at least one biologically active component encapsulated within the polymeric material.  
     
     
         2 . The polymeric material, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the biologically active component is selected from the group consisting of cells, tissues, and tissue aggregates.  
     
     
         3 . The polymeric material, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the biologically active component is selected from the group consisting of chondrocytes, immortalized cell lines, stem cells, hormone-producing cells, and fibroblasts.  
     
     
         4 . A polymeric material comprising repeating units of the formula:  
         —[—S—R 1 —S—C—C—R 2 —C—C]— 
       wherein R 1  and R 2  are independent linkers, at least one of R 1  and R 2  are degradable, and the polymeric material is derivatized with a functional molecule.  
     
     
         5 . The polymeric material, as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the polymeric material is derivatized through a thiol linkage.  
     
     
         6 . The polymeric material, as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the material is derivatized with a protein.  
     
     
         7 . The polymeric material, as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the protein is selected from the group consisting of adhesion peptides, growth factors, hormones, antihormones, signaling compounds, serum proteins, albumins, macroglobulins, globulins, agglutinins, lectins, antibodies, antigens, enzymes, and extracellular matrix proteins.  
     
     
         8 . A polymeric material comprising repeating units of the formula:  
         —[—S—R 1 —S—C—C—R 2 —C—C]— 
       wherein R 1  and R 2  are independent linkers, at least one of R 1  and R 2  are degradable, and at least one agricultural chemical is encapsulated within the polymeric material.  
     
     
         9 . The polymeric material, as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the agricultural chemical is selected from the group consisting of fungicides, herbicides, fertilizers, pesticides, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, organic molecules, and inorganic biologically active molecules.  
     
     
         10 . A polymeric material comprising repeating units of the formula:  
         —[—S—R 1 —S—C—C—R 2 —C—C]— 
       wherein R 1  and R 2  are independent linkers, at least one of R 1  and R 2  are degradable, and at least one pharmacologically active agent is encapsulated within the polymeric material.  
     
     
         11 . The polymeric material, as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the pharmacologically active agent is selected from the group consisting of analgesics, antipyretics, nonsteriodal antiinflammatory drugs, antiallergics, antibacterial drugs, antianaemia drugs, cytotoxic drugs, antihypertensive drugs, dermatological drugs, psychotherapeutic drugs, vitamins, minerals, anorexiants, dietetics, antiadiposity drugs, carbohydrate metabolism drugs, protein metabolism drugs, thyroid drugs, antithyroid drugs, and coenzymes.