CITRIC ACID POLYMERS
The present invention provides polymers (e.g., elastomeric citric acid polymers) and methods of making and using these polymers (e.g., as a biologically active molecule delivery platform). In certain embodiments, the polymer has adsorbed biologically active molecules. In particular embodiments, the polymer comprises pores that are between about 7 and 15 nanometers in diameter. In other embodiments, the polymer comprises poly(1,8 octanediol-co-ctric acid). In certain embodiments, the polymers are made by employing polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether (PEGDM).
1 . A composition comprising an elastomeric citric acid polymer and a plurality of biologically active molecules, wherein said polymer has the formula:
, Where A is a linear aliphatic dihydroxy monomer, C is a linear aliphatic dihydroxy monomer, R is hydrogen or a polymer, and n is an integer greater than 1, and wherein said plurality of biologically active molecules are adsorbed to said nanoporous poly(diol) citrate polymer.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein A is a linear aliphatic diol comprising between about 2 and about 20 carbons.
3 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein C is a linear diol comprising between about 2 and about 20 carbons.
4 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein both A and C are the same linear diol.
5 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein said polymer is biodegradable.
6 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein said polymer comprises pores between about 7 and about 15 nanometers.
7 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein said polymer comprises poly(1,8 octanediol-co-ctric acid).
8 . The composition of claim 1 , further comprising at least a trace amount of a non-reactive porogen, wherein said non-reactive porogen is impregnated in said polymer.
9 . The composition of claim 1 , further comprising at least a trace amount of polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether (PEGDM), wherein said PEGDM is impregnated in said polymer.
10 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of biologically active molecules are selected from the group consisting of: proteins, nucleic acids, drugs, pro-drugs, and small molecules.
11 . A composition comprising an elastomeric citric acid polymer having the formula:
, where A is a linear aliphatic dihydroxy monomer, C is a linear aliphatic dihydroxy monomer, R is hydrogen or a polymer, and n is an integer greater than 1.
12 . The composition of claim 11 , wherein said polymer comprises pores between about 7 and about 15 nanometers.
13 . The composition of claim 11 , wherein A and C are each linear aliphatic diol comprising between about 2 and about 20 carbons.
14 . The composition of claim 11 , wherein said pores have a medium diameter of about 9.5 nanometers.
15 . The composition of claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of biologically active molecules that are absorbed to said polymer.
16 . The composition of claim 11 , wherein said plurality of biologically active molecules are selected from the group consisting of: proteins, nucleic acids, drugs, pro-drugs, and small molecules.
17 . The composition of claim 11 , wherein said polymer is biodegradable.
18 . The composition of claim 11 , wherein said polymer comprises poly(1,8 octanediol-co-ctric acid).
19 . A composition comprising an elastomeric citric acid polymer and at least trace amounts of a non-reactive porogen, wherein said polymer has the formula
, where A is a linear aliphatic dihydroxy monomer, C is a linear aliphatic dihydroxy monomer, R is hydrogen or a polymer, and n is an integer greater than 1.
20 . The composition of claim 19 , wherein said nonreactive porogen comprises polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether (PEGDM).