Fabrication of Photosensitive Polymers-based Biomaterials through Multiphoton Lithography

The use of polymers in the development of biomaterials for various biomedical applications has become increasingly important in recent decades. To match the innate properties of biological tissues, the polymer-based tissue scaffolds must have the desired structural and functional properties. However, the polymer-based hydrogels prepared by conventional methods are often delicate and fragile and require pre-stabilisation. This necessitates the exploration of bio-friendly cross-linkers that promote kinetic or reversible crosslinking in the polymer network of hydrogels and must be nontoxic to cells and tissues. The light initiators with well-organized multiphoton cross sections that are reactive at specific wavelengths could be ideal candidates. This chapter reviews the fabrication of solid or viscoelastic biological scaffolds by multiphoton lithography (MPL) of liquids. It describes the similarities and differences between conventional and MPL photo polymerization of biological scaffolds in terms of synthesis chemistry, properties, and their relevance to biological applications. These photosensitive scaffolds could be useful biomaterials for their biomedical applications.

Keywords: Biomaterials, Biomedical Applications, Cross-Linkers, Hydrogels, Multiphoton Lithography, Photosensitive Polymers