Polymers containing polysaccharides such as alginates or modified alginates

摘要

Materials which contain polysaccharide chains, particularly alginate or modified alginate chains. The polysaccharide chains may be included as side chains or auxiliary chains from a backbone polymer chain, which may also be a polysaccharide. Further, the polysaccharide chains may be cross-linked between side chains, auxiliary chains and/or backbone chains. These materials and non-modified or otherwise modified alginate materials are advantageously modified by covalent bonding thereto of a biologically active molecule for cell adhesion or other cellular interaction. Processes for preparation of these alginate materials and methods for using them, particularly for cell transplantation and tissue engineering applications.