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In contemporary biomaterials research bioactive polymers are state of the art since they can interact with the in vivo environment. Especially nanofiber morphologies are shown to form a promising synthetic niche. The aim of this thesis is to develop a new concept to make bioactive thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) by using their supramolecular interactions. In a modular and supramolecular approach bioactive peptides are equipped with the same well-defined hard segment units as present in the polymer. A desired polymer is formed by simple mixing the polymer with the desired bioactive peptide(s). Preferably dynamic and bioactive nanorods are formed due to the designed supramolecular interactions between the hard segments. In this way the good mechanical properties of TPEs are combined with the versatility of self assembly. The use of well-designed supramolecular interactions to produce bioactive nanorods embedded in a biocompatible soft matrix is shown to be an exciting new approach to bioactive thermoplastic elastomers and holds great potential for soft tissue engineering.

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Eva Wisse, PhD: studied Biomedical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology (2003). PhD with prof. dr. E. W. Meijer, main results described in this book (2007). Scientist in biomaterials research at DSM Research, Geleen (2010). Current position in medical device product development at Philips Applied Technologies, Eindhoven.

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