Dendrimers for biomedical applications

Dendrimers are globular polymers with well-defi ned molecular structures and polyfunctionalsurfaces. The ability to functionalize the surface of dendrimers with a rangeof chemical species and to tailor physicochemical properties has resulted in the explorationof dendrimers for a wide range of biomedical applications. The clinical applicationof dendrimers is still in the early stages of development, although data generatedthus far have suggested that they have the potential to advance the fi elds of drug delivery,gene therapy, imaging and wound healing. This chapter provides an overview ofthe current state-of-the-art of research into the biomedical application of dendrimers.