Document Type
Article
Version Deposited
Published Version
Publication Date
2-3-2024
Publication Title
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DOI
10.3390/ijms25031861
Abstract
Recent advances in biomedical research, particularly in optical applications, have sparked a transformative movement towards replacing synthetic polymers with more biocompatible and sustainable alternatives. Most often made from plastics or glass, these materials ignite immune responses from the body, and their production is based on environmentally harsh oil-based processes. Biopolymers, including both polysaccharides and proteins, have emerged as a potential candidate for optical biomaterials due to their inherent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and sustainability, derived from their existence in nature and being recognized by the immune system. Current extraction and fabrication methods for these biomaterials, including thermal drawing, extrusion and printing, mold casting, dry-jet wet spinning, hydrogel formations, and nanoparticles, aim to create optical materials in cost-effective and environmentally friendly manners for a wide range of applications. Present and future applications include optical waveguides and sensors, imaging and diagnostics, optical fibers, and waveguides, as well as ocular implants using biopolymers, which will revolutionize these fields, specifically their uses in the healthcare industry.
Recommended Citation
Riviello, Gianna, Brendan Connor, Jake McBrearty, Gianna Rodriguez, and Xiao Hu. 2024. "Protein and Polysaccharide-Based Optical Materials for Biomedical Applications" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 25, no. 3: 1861. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25031861
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Comments
Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.