Polymer Formulations
Polymer Formulations - Related Videos
08:55
Formulations for Freeze-drying of Bacteria and Their Influence on Cell Survival
0 Views •
Cited by 22 •
2013
Freeze-drying is often an easy and convenient way to obtain dry products of viable bacterial cells. An issue of the process is cell survival. We detail here a procedure to investigate how cell survival during freeze-drying is influenced by the properties of the formulation used.
02:34
Polymers
0 Views •
2020
The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
08:44
Tension Tests of Polymers
0 Views •
2023
Source: Roberto Leon, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA Polymeric materials are widely used in civil structures, with uses ranging from very soft sealants to more rigid pipes in water and wastewater systems. The most basic definition of a polymer is a molecular structure with repeating subunits. The term polymer comes from Greek, where "poly" means many, and "-mer" means basic unit. Monomers, or single mers, are the specific repeating units. With...
01:24
Evaluating the Effect of a Synbiotic Formulation on Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology in Drosophila
0 Views •
2025
Take a transgenic Drosophila.The brain of the Drosophila expresses the human amyloid peptide protein or APP and a cleaving enzyme.The enzyme cleaves APP, enabling the formation of beta-amyloid plaque, which leads toAlzheimer's disease or AD pathology in Drosophila.Feed the Drosophila AD model a diet containing a synbiotic formulation.The formulation contains a combination of three bioactive probiotic bacteria and a prebiotic.Inside the fly's gut, the prebiotic supports the growth and survival...
02:43
Formulating mRNA-Loaded Nanoparticles for Vaccination Purposes
0 Views •
2025
This video demonstrates a method for generating an mRNA vaccine candidate using polymeric nanoparticles. The cationic polymer interacts with negatively charged mRNA, forming polyplexes. The formation of polyplexes stabilizes the mRNA, making it a potential candidate for future mRNA vaccines in immunotherapeutic applications.
FAQs
Chain entanglement arises when polymer chains interlock, contributing to viscosity and material strength. Crosslinking connects chains into a network, which can further modify strength, swelling, permeability, and resistance to deformation. By controlling the extent of these interactions, researchers can tune whether a formulation provides flow during processing, structural support after preparation, or a balance of both.
Solvents and additives influence how polymer components mix, interact, and respond during processing. Their effects can alter viscosity, swelling, permeability, degradation, and interactions with cells or biological fluids. These changes are important because a formulation intended for a hydrogel, coating, scaffold, or delivery system must provide properties compatible with its biological environment and intended function.
Blending determines how different polymer components and additives contribute to the final material, while processing conditions influence their molecular interactions and organization. Changes in composition or processing can shift viscosity, strength, swelling, permeability, and degradation behavior. Consequently, researchers adjust both factors together rather than treating formulation ingredients and material preparation as independent variables.
Composition and processing jointly influence how a material interacts with cells and biological fluids. Polymer selection, crosslinking, solvent content, additives, and the resulting network structure can affect cell adhesion, mechanical support, permeability, swelling, and degradation. These variables matter because biological performance depends not only on the material’s initial properties, but also on how it changes in use.
A formulation workflow begins by identifying the needed biological and material outcomes, such as cell adhesion, controlled release, mechanical support, or biocompatibility. Researchers then adjust polymer composition, solvent, crosslinker, additives, and processing conditions, followed by evaluating properties such as viscosity, strength, swelling, permeability, and degradation. This iterative approach connects formulation changes with functional performance.
In hydrogels, scaffolds, and encapsulation matrices, formulation chemistry establishes the material environment surrounding cells or biological cargo. Crosslinking and blending can provide mechanical support while controlling swelling and permeability. Researchers use these materials when they need a matrix that helps maintain structure, regulates interactions with biological fluids, or supports cell-related functions in biomaterials studies.
Release rates can be adjusted through formulation-dependent properties such as network structure, swelling, permeability, and degradation. Cell adhesion is also influenced by the material’s chemistry and its interaction with cells. By modifying composition and processing, researchers can develop delivery systems or biological surfaces that provide more suitable release behavior, attachment characteristics, and overall biocompatibility.