Professor Bamford's research in the field of biomaterials

Abstract

Professor Bamford was regarded by many as the greatest British polymer chemist of the twentieth century and when Bam passed away in November 1999 tribute was quite rightly made to his considerable achievements in the field of polymer science. The aim of this paper is to highlight Bam's contribution to biomaterials research that occupied his attention for over 15 years after his official retirement. In particular a review of the synthetic methods employed by Bam for the modification of polymers to improve haemocompatibility and to function as affinity separation membranes for protein purification is presented.

Bioresorbable Scaffolds for Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering

“…Such biomaterials should have degradation and resorption rates which are compatible with the formation of the neotissue; there must be a balance between scaffold degradation and ECM production. 19,20 The bioresorbable polymers should maintain mechanical features and secure their function during tissue formation as unexpected faster material degradation can result in mechanical instability and vessel rupture or valve failure. However, after healing of tissue, the implanted scaffold must be completely degraded and resorbed in order to avoid sideeffects.…”

“…However, after healing of tissue, the implanted scaffold must be completely degraded and resorbed in order to avoid sideeffects. 19,20 Prolonged macrophage activity due to the presence of synthetic scaffold remnants may lead to excessive chronic inflammation resulting in fibrosis, calcification, and/or degeneration of the cardiovascular implants. 18 Different factors influence the degradation kinetics, including hydrophobicity, crystallinity, configurational structure, molar mass, stress and strain, polydispersity, chain orientation, and site of implantation.…”