Description

Hyaluronan and its derivatives has developed very quickly in the last few years from a scientific novelty into an important new material for a diverse range of medical and biomaterial applications. This landmark conference focused on developments and applications in the use of hyaluronan in tissue repair and reconstruction, drug delivery systems, anti-cancer treatments and joint recovery and engineering.
The entire range of hyaluronan progress is covered in depth by the more than 135 individual papers:

Analytical chemistry
Structural elucidation and basic chemistry
Electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy
Production, purification and characterisation
Quality in production systems

Chemical modification
Derivatives and properties
Cross-linking
Free radical modification

Physical characterisation

Rheology
Aggregation phenomena
Interaction with water and solution properties

Cell biology

Control and regulation of HA synthases
Cell surface chemistry
HA cell receptors and cell signalling
Interaction with proteins and other biological ligands
Biophysical aspects
Effects on pain receptors
Neurobiology
Role in organisation of extracellular matrix
Role in development (embryogenesis): cell movement/migration

Medical applications

Uses in cartilage and wound repair
Inflammation
Wound regenerative healing
Surgery and tissue engineering
Viscosupplementation / osteoa

Chapter