macromolecules applied to pharmaceutical chemistry大分子药物化学.pdfVIP

Molecules 2005, 10, 3-5 molecules ISSN 1420-3049 Guest Editorial Macromolecules Applied to Pharmaceutical Chemistry Claudio J. Salomon Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquimícas y Farmaceúticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, 2000. Rosario, Argentina; E-mail: csalomon@.ar Received: 15 September 2004 / Published 31 January 2005 Macromolecular and polymer science have evolved significantly over the past few years, with remarkable advances in many areas such as polymeric drugs, self-assembly systems, implant materials, drug delivery systems and controlled drug release. These areas have now become well established in the realm of multidisciplinary technology and science. An increasing number of applications of macromolecules have required a covalent attachment of the polymers to a wide range of substrates, including low-molecular weight drugs, affinity ligands, proteins, oligonucleotides, micro-and nanoparticles. Ten contributions from renowned scientists who have embarked on research programs in the exciting area of the application of macromolecules in pharmaceutical chemistry are included in this interdisciplinary Special Issue of Molecules . The first article in this issue, by T. Coviello, A. Palleschi, M. Grassi, P. Matricardi, G. Bocchinfuso and F. Alhaique, deals with the use of scleroglucan and some derivatives in the field of pharmaceutics and in particular, for the formulation of modified-release dosage forms. A novel hydrogel obtained from this polysaccharide and borate ions is described, and a dee