Biopolymer-based materials in nanomedicine: Synthesis and characterization

Abstract Nowadays, the use of polymers is almost indispensable to the wide range of applications. Despite their unbeatable usefulness in the biomedical field, nonrenewable resourses, environmental pollution, and biocompatibility are the major limitations that restrict the predominant use of synthetic polymers. Thus, an expedition of the utilization of biopolymers is on a rise. Recently, the development of novel drug delivery systems or nanomedicine utilizing biopolymers enables us to prevent, treat, and diagnose early diseases with unparalleled efficiency and to ensure the accuracy even up to the molecular and genetic levels. This chapter focuses on the applications of biopolymers especially in the field of nanomedicine. Herein, we have briefly described the synthesis, characterization of the largely used and potential biopolymers, and their classifications. In addition, a special emphasis has been given on the uses of biopolymers in the drug delivery approaches from the research viewpoint to clinical applications. The chapter also describes the usefulness of aspiring biopolymers in the current nanomedicine development.