PLGA

PLGA

PLGA (pronunciation: /ˈplɪgə/), also known as Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), is a copolymer which is used in a host of FDA-approved therapeutic devices, owing to its biodegradability and biocompatibility.

Etymology

The term PLGA is an acronym derived from the names of its monomers, Poly-Lactic acid and Glycolic Acid.

Description

PLGA is a polymer that is used in a variety of biomedical applications. It is a copolymer made from two different monomers, lactic acid and glycolic acid, which are linked together to form the polymer chain. The ratio of these two monomers can be varied to control the degradation rate of the polymer, which is a key property for many of its applications.

Applications

PLGA is used in a variety of medical applications, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, and medical devices. In drug delivery, PLGA is often used to encapsulate drugs, allowing for controlled release over a period of time. In tissue engineering, PLGA can be used as a scaffold to support the growth of new tissue. In medical devices, PLGA can be used to create biodegradable implants or sutures.

Related Terms

• Polymer
• Drug delivery
• Tissue engineering
• Medical devices
• Biodegradable
• Biocompatible
• Monomer
• Lactic acid
• Glycolic acid

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on PLGA
• Wikipedia's article - PLGA

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