Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XXVII, Issue 2
Written by Nicoleta ENE, Irina LUPESCU, Emanuel VAMANU
In recent years, biopolymers have attracted the attention of specialists and researchers in various fields, including biotechnology, materials science, engineering, and medicine. The main driver is the possibility of combining scientific and technological progress with sustainability. This is a vast research topic because there are several classes and varieties of biopolymers. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a specific type of polyesters, are biodegradable polymers with various thermoplastic characteristics formed by microorganisms under adverse growth conditions. In recent years, PHAs have been increasingly employed in biomedical applications owing to their adaptive mechanical features, cytocompatibility, capacity for cell adhesion, and controlled biodegradability. The increasing potential is also indicated by the benefits of 3D-printing technology for fabricating intricate structures, fast prototyping, and personalization. This study aims to detail the types of biopolymers, as well as their areas of use, after a thorough description of the synthesis and manufacture of PHAs. The most recent and significant medical applications of PHAs in tissue engineering, medication delivery, and vascular stenting are listed below.
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