gene delivery into embryos – a research area that is yet to be fully explored. The
chapter “Engineering of Polysaccharides via Nanotechnology” deals with various
sources of chitosan and their physical, chemical and biological properties; synthesis
of chitosan-based nanoparticles, nanospheres and nanogels; characterization; and
biomedical applications. The chapter “Hydroxyapatite-Packed Chitosan-PMMA
Nanocomposite: A Promising Material for Construction of Synthetic Bone” is
focused on natural bone structure, polymer blends and recent advances in polymer/(nano)hydroxyapatite nanocomposites for application as synthetic bone. The
chapter “Biodegradable Polymers for Potential Delivery Systems for Therapeutics”
will provide support to research scientists and clinical physicians who are interested
in the development and application of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles as
potential delivery systems for therapeutics. The chapter “Phytomedicine-Loaded
Polymeric Nanomedicines: Potential Cancer Therapeutics” explains the design and
development of nanoformulations and their application as potential anticancer
agents. The chapter “Proteins and Carbohydrates as Polymeric Nanodrug Delivery
Systems: Formulation, Properties and Toxicological Evaluation” embodies an
in-depth discussion of various carbohydrate- and protein-based nanomedicines
with respect to their formulation, properties of the nanoconstructs, manipulation
and utilization of these properties towards developing a better drug delivery device
and also the toxicological interactions of these nanocarriers with host physiological
systems. The chapter “Biopolymeric Micro- andNanoparticles: Preparation, Characterization and Industrial Applications” reviews the preparation, characterization
and applications of biopolymeric micro- and nanoparticles. The chapter “Applications of Glyconanoparticles as Glycobiological Therapeutics and Diagnostics”
provides an overview of the most recent syntheses and applications of glyconanoparticles in glycoscience that have deepened our understanding of multivalent
carbohydrate–protein interactions. Together with sensitive detection devices, inhibitors of bacterial adhesion to host tissues, cancer vaccines and therapeutic systems
(including photosensitizers for photodynamic therapies), these novel bionanomaterials are finding widespread relevance. The recent development of
glyconanoparticle-based chemotherapeutic drug delivery agents is also addressed,
together with their molecular imaging properties for MRI or X-ray contrast agents,
as platforms for selective immunolabelling and imaging of cells, and as colorimetric devices in various bioassays.
Last but not least, we would like to thank all contributors for their generous
support, the publisher for accepting our book and the administrative heads of both
MNNIT Allahabad and IET Raipur, India, for their encouragement and cooperation, without which it would have been extremely difficult to complete this task
in time.
Allahabad, India
P.K. Dutta
Raipur, India
Joydeep Dutta
April 2013
vi
Preface
chapter “Engineering of Polysaccharides via Nanotechnology” deals with various
sources of chitosan and their physical, chemical and biological properties; synthesis
of chitosan-based nanoparticles, nanospheres and nanogels; characterization; and
biomedical applications. The chapter “Hydroxyapatite-Packed Chitosan-PMMA
Nanocomposite: A Promising Material for Construction of Synthetic Bone” is
focused on natural bone structure, polymer blends and recent advances in polymer/(nano)hydroxyapatite nanocomposites for application as synthetic bone. The
chapter “Biodegradable Polymers for Potential Delivery Systems for Therapeutics”
will provide support to research scientists and clinical physicians who are interested
in the development and application of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles as
potential delivery systems for therapeutics. The chapter “Phytomedicine-Loaded
Polymeric Nanomedicines: Potential Cancer Therapeutics” explains the design and
development of nanoformulations and their application as potential anticancer
agents. The chapter “Proteins and Carbohydrates as Polymeric Nanodrug Delivery
Systems: Formulation, Properties and Toxicological Evaluation” embodies an
in-depth discussion of various carbohydrate- and protein-based nanomedicines
with respect to their formulation, properties of the nanoconstructs, manipulation
and utilization of these properties towards developing a better drug delivery device
and also the toxicological interactions of these nanocarriers with host physiological
systems. The chapter “Biopolymeric Micro- andNanoparticles: Preparation, Characterization and Industrial Applications” reviews the preparation, characterization
and applications of biopolymeric micro- and nanoparticles. The chapter “Applications of Glyconanoparticles as Glycobiological Therapeutics and Diagnostics”
provides an overview of the most recent syntheses and applications of glyconanoparticles in glycoscience that have deepened our understanding of multivalent
carbohydrate–protein interactions. Together with sensitive detection devices, inhibitors of bacterial adhesion to host tissues, cancer vaccines and therapeutic systems
(including photosensitizers for photodynamic therapies), these novel bionanomaterials are finding widespread relevance. The recent development of
glyconanoparticle-based chemotherapeutic drug delivery agents is also addressed,
together with their molecular imaging properties for MRI or X-ray contrast agents,
as platforms for selective immunolabelling and imaging of cells, and as colorimetric devices in various bioassays.
Last but not least, we would like to thank all contributors for their generous
support, the publisher for accepting our book and the administrative heads of both
MNNIT Allahabad and IET Raipur, India, for their encouragement and cooperation, without which it would have been extremely difficult to complete this task
in time.
Allahabad, India
P.K. Dutta
Raipur, India
Joydeep Dutta
April 2013
vi
Preface