Lactosylated polymers for tissue engineering : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Chemistry at Massey University

Abstract

This thesis describes the synthesis of new polymers suitable for the support of in vitro hepatocyte growth. The key design feature of the monomers investigated was the incorporation of a galactose residue, expected to promote the adhesion and proliferation of hepatocytes in vitro, through the regioselective derivation of lactose. A graft polymerisation strategy was investigated as an alternative to co-polymerization, since it proved difficult to isolate the carbohydrate-derived monomers in sufficient purity. This led to the formation of a glutaraldehyde-crosslinked lactosylated polyamine hydrogel, which was found to perform well in initial cell trials.