ICP is optimizing biocompatible ink for 3D printing and tissue engineering
R&D will focus on the synthesis and characterization of functional polymers to be applied in areas such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, and skincare
The Institute of Polymer Chemistry (ICP) was established in 2007 and is based at the Johannes Kepler University of Linz in Austria. Their research focuses on the chemical and physical properties of polymers and macromolecules as well as the development of functional hybrid polymers. Led by Professor Oliver Brüggemann, the Head of Institute for over 12 years, the ICP’s expertise lies within the design, synthesis, and characterisation of functional polymers, including hybrid materials and composites for technical, medical, pharmaceutical, and biological applications in addition to certain aspects of biodegradability and biomimetic. The ICP also has experience in the R&D of multifunctional polyphosphazenes, which are designed and synthesized for later applications as drug carriers for drug delivery or as scaffolds for tissue engineering and as degradable hydrogels.
The ICP has taken on several projects over the years including those that involve multi-partner collaborations, which has given them a solid foundation for the current INKplant project. With its vast knowledge of the design, synthesis, and characterisation of degradable polymers, ICP will contribute to the development of a biodegradable ink. Moreover, INKplant will utilize ICP’s profound expertise in the development of linear and cross-linked polyphosphazenes to be applied as carriers for drug delivery, hydrogels, and as scaffolds for tissue engineering. Both types of polyphosphazenes are proven to be biocompatible and biodegradable to pH neutral and benign metabolites. Importantly, the rate of degradation can be easily tailored to the required application environment by adjustments in the chemical structure. Thus, this type of polymer is ideal for a novel, biocompatible, and biodegradable photo-curable ink.
The ICP will be working on optimizing this ink for 3D printing as well as testing printed structures for biodegradability and participating in the dissemination of the results.
