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Formulation is a key step in the drug design process, where the active drug is combined with other substances that maximise the therapeutic potential, safety and stability of the final medicinal product. Modern formulation science deals with biologics as well as small molecules. Regulatory and quality demands, in addition to advances in processing technologies, result in growing challenges as well as possibilities for the field. Pharmaceutical Formulation provides an up to date source of information for all who wish to understand the principles and practice of formulation in the drug industry. The book provides an understanding of the links between formulation theory and the practicalities of processing in a commercial environment, giving researchers the knowledge to produce effective pharmaceutical products that can be approved and manufactured. The first chapters introduce readers to different dosage forms, including oral liquid products, topical products and solid dosage forms such as tablets and capsules. Subsequent chapters cover pharmaceutical coatings, controlled release drug delivery and dosage forms designed specifically for paediatric and geriatric patients. The final chapter provides an introduction to the vital role intellectual property plays in drug development. Covering modern processing methods and recent changes in the regulatory and quality demands of the industry, Pharmaceutical Formulation is an essential, up to date resource for students and researchers working in academia and in the pharmaceutical industry.

Hydrogels are attractive materials for uses in regenerative medicine due to their biocompatibility and high water absorbance and retention properties. Applications are emerging in stem cell niches, biopolymers and synthetic polymers for tissue scaffolding, wound healing and hydrogels for cellular diagnostics and delivery. Hydrogels in Cell-Based Therapies looks at the use of different polymers and other bionanomaterials to fabricate different hydrogel systems and their biomedical applications including enzyme responsive hydrogels and biomaterials, thermally responsive hydrogels, collagen gels and alginates. With complementary expertise in cell biology and soft materials, the Editors provide a comprehensive overview of recent updates in this highly topical field. This highly interdisciplinary subject will appeal to researchers in cell biology, biochemistry, biomaterials and polymer science and those interested in hydrogel applications.

There is much recent interest in the field of molecular gels because of their potential use in many different applications, including biomedicine and electronic materials. Functional Molecular Gels details the latest research on molecular gels from the fundamentals of molecular gel formation to their uses in a variety of fields. This book introduces the key concepts of designing molecular gels and their characterisation techniques, followed by chapters discussing different stimuli-responsive systems. Specific chapters are then dedicated to their diverse range of applications, including catalysis, tissue engineering, photonic materials and as templates for nanostructured materials. Written by active researchers in the area, this book gives a taste of the possibilities that molecular gels offer for those both new to and already working in the area.

The diverse range of applications has thrust hydrogels into the spotlight of scientific research. From biomedical applications in tissue engineering, drug delivery and wound healing, and consumer care products such as contact lenses to laboratory purification in chromatography and as electrophoresis gels, many researchers are looking at hydrogels for their materials solutions. This rapid expansion of the field has however created a gap between the current knowledge and understanding of hydrogel research and its future outlook. To overcome this, Polymeric and Self Assembled Hydrogels captures the entire landscape of hydrogels research providing a guidebook for academics, industrialists and postgraduates interested in the area. With contributions from the top authorities in the field, the book details the fundamental principles of both synthetic and natural polymeric networks and supramolecular hydrogels from either surfactants or peptides, along with examples of their major applications. This is the resource to give you everything you need to know about hydrogel research.

This book provides a critical overview of the advances being made towards overcoming biological barriers through the contribution of nanosciences and nanotechnologies. Overcoming these barriers is of primary importance for solving the problems of many current drugs and vaccines and it is also especially relevant for the commercial exploitation of new therapeutic strategies i.e. gene and cellular therapies. Despite important information that has been covered in recently published books related to nanomedicine (mainly oriented to technologies and applications), there is still an important gap related to the relationship between the chemical properties of nanobiomaterials and their interaction with the biological environment. Thus, this comprehensive new book that is presented with a clear and organised structure dedicated to the different biological barriers relevant for drug delivery applications will focus on (i) mechanistic issues related to the interaction between drug delivery systems and biological barriers and (ii) the analysis of the critical factors determining the efficacy of nanobiomaterials for specific applications. Moreover, this field has become highly multidisciplinary over the last decade, leading to the development of new products, as well as to significant advances from the regulatory point of view. Moreover, this book will also provide an up-to-date view on the clinical relevance of nanomedicine and on its possible impact on global health.

Dendrimers are a new class of macromolecule increasingly used in the fields of synthetic organic chemistry, biology, medicine and biotechnology. Dendrimers in Medicine and Biotechnology: New Molecular Tools looks at this exciting and rapidly growing area of science. Using an interdisciplinary approach with particular emphasis on biological applications, the book discusses the relationship between the dendrimer molecular motif and its biological properties. A general introduction to the subject of dendrimers, including definitions of terms and symbols, is provided. Subsequent sections discuss topics including dendrimers in biological systems, dendrimers as drug delivery devices, dendrimers in diagnostics and dendrimer drugs. Throughout the book examples from current research are also provided. This book will appeal to a wide range of scientists, including non specialists who require an introduction to dendrimers, as well as those wishing to know more about the application of dendrimers in the field of biology and medicine.

Despite advances in the development of new drugs, a drug may never reach the target organ, or it may be difficult to achieve the necessary level of drug in the body. Large doses can result in serious side effects and can harm normal, as well as diseased, cells and organs, and for this reason it is vital that controlled release and the targeting of delivery systems must evolve in parallel to drug research. Chemical Aspects of Drug Delivery Systems reflects the modern challenge to devise effective drug delivery and targeting systems, giving particular emphasis to recent innovations in the field. Delivery systems described include carbohydrate derivatives, novel nonionic surfactant vesicles and various polymers, including polyacrylates and aqueous shellac solutions, as well as hydrogels. In addition, many of the key issues, such as the understanding of biosystems and targets and the development of materials to provide the deserved carrier and excipient properties for controlled, targeted drug delivery, are considered in depth. This book will be of equal interest to undergraduate, graduate, researcher and those in the pharmaceutical industries, and it complements two previous RSC Special Publications, Encapsulation and Controlled Release and Excipients and Delivery Systems for Pharmaceutical Formulations.