Reactive Polymers and Microcapsules

Abstract

In cell encapsulation, cells are embedded within a hydrogel matrix or liquid core capsule, which is designed to isolate donor cells from a patient’s immune system. This immunoisolation allows for long term transplant function of therapeutic secreting cells for potential treatment of many hormonal and enzyme deficiency disorders. The work in this thesis focuses on the use and study of reactive polymers for their application in cell application. Incorporation of covalent crosslinking into cell encapsulation by reactive polymers addresses issues of long-term stability seen in conventional alginate – poly(L-lysine) – alginate (APA) capsules, by introducing crosslinks with prolonged stability in vivo