Next-Generation Therapeutic Polymers: From Molecular Design to Dual Antibacterial/Antithrombotic Action

Dear Colleagues,

Biocompatible polymers have recently gained significant attention in the medical field due to their varied possible applications. They are primarily used as drug delivery systems for targeted and controlled drug release and as implants that can temporarily or permanently replace the functions of damaged tissues or organs. This type of polymer allows for the expansion of the possibility of their use as materials with a direct enhanced therapeutic effect, rather than merely serving as a drug carrier. They are gifted with additional equipment that is helpful in treatment processes that are tuneable by varying their chain and/or the macromolecular structure of molecules. They can mimic biological molecules, interact with cells and tissues, or release active functionalities. Given the breadth of this subject, this Special Issue aims primarily to highlight studies focusing on bioactive biocompatible polymers that have therapeutic effects. Specifically, two categories of bioactive polymers are under discussion, including polymers that are effective at combating bacterial infections and polymers that are capable of preventing blood clots on implant surfaces, addressing the associated risks of thrombosis. These questions are critical challenges in modern medicine with significant social implications and economical impact. The first category is developed to kill or inhibit bacterial growth with modalities that are different to those of conventional antibiotics, including extragenomic processes, thus bypassing the mutational mechanisms of bacteria cells and limiting the emergence of drug resistance. Based on their antibacterial action mechanism, these polymers can be categorized into the following three groups:

• Contact-killing polymers, which disrupt bacterial membranes (e.g., polymers containing quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, or guanidinium groups).
• Release-based mechanism polymers, which are loaded with silver ions, antibiotics, or nitric oxide donors.
• Antifouling polymers, which are designed to resist bacterial biofilm formation.

The second category consists of anticoagulant polymers, which are used to engineer medical devices that enter into contact with blood, such as catheters, stents, and dialysis membranes. These polymers can be further divided based on their mechanism of action, as follows:

• Heparin-mimicking polymers, which are negatively charged (sulfated or carboxylated) polymers capable of binding antithrombin III, thus inhibiting the coagulation cascade.
• Heparin-conjugated polymers, which possess covalently bound heparin, thus having an anticoagulant surface.
• Zwitterionic polymers, including phosphorylcholine-based polymers, which resist protein adsorption and reduce platelet adhesion.
• Polymeric nitric oxide (NO) donors, which release NO, thus inhibiting platelet aggregation.

Papers focusing on the methods of production of the abovementioned polymeric materials and on possible modifications to improve their physicochemical properties and bioactivity application, as well as on their current clinical and preclinical applications, are expected. This Special Issue aims to be particularly relevant for a wide variety of professionals in the fields of polymer chemistry and biomaterial science, including researchers, industrial practitioners, and medical doctors. I cordially invite you to contribute to this Special Issue by submitting original research papers or insightful reviews. 

Prof. Dr. Piotr Dobrzynski
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.