Renewable Resources for Functional Polymers and Biomaterials

The importance of renewable based materials has lead to a renaissance in the chemistry of biomacromolecules and their expansive functional properties. This book covers the source, production, structures and properties of some of the most important biomacromolecules with applications in the fields of biotechnology and medicine. Particular attention is given to polysaccharides obtained from botanical, algal, animal and microbial sources; microbial polyesters; the glycoproteins fibronectin and laminin as well as an introduction to nucleic acid polymers and genetic engineering. Aimed at both the biomedical and wider materials science communities, the overview of biopolymers at the graduate and post graduate level will appeal to both academic and industrial scientists who are involved in research and development activities.