The term biotechnology has emerged on the contemporary scene fairly recently, but the basic concept of utilizing natural materials, either directly or in modified versions, dates back to antiquity. If we search the ancient literature, such as the Bible, we find hundreds of examples wherein people employed, or modified, natural materials for a variety of important uses. As far back as the days of Noah we find pitch, a natural material, being used as a caulk. Clothing was made from animal skins and the products of several plants. Today, we would consider these things as important biotechnological developments. Likewise, the human use of polymeric materials also has a long his tory. In fact, many of the original materials used by mankind were poly mers derived from nature, such as wood, flax, cotton, wool and animal skins, which were used for shelter and clothing. In recent years, however, the concept of biotechnology has taken on a new and renewed role in our society. This is due to a combination of factors, including an increased interest in environmental concerns and the desire to break free from the stranglehold that petrochemicals have placed on our society. If we can manufacture some of our polymers from renewable resources, then we can expect to prepare them for many more years into the future than we might if we could only depend on the petro chemical resources.

Inhalt
I. Novel Biotechnology-Derived Polymers.- New and Traditional Polymers from Biotechnology.- Use of the Antiviral and Immune Modulator, Poly ( ICLC ), in the Treatment of AIDS.- Synthesis and Interaction of Water Soluble Nucleic Acid Analogs.- Influence of Copolymer Structure on Properties of Poly-?-Hydroxyalkanoates.- Biodegradation of Blends Containing Poly (3-Hydroxybutyrate-Co-Valerate).- The Use of Biotechnology Derived Monomers in the Synthesis of New Polymers: Development of Polyesterimides.- The Biosynthesis of Unusual Polyamides Containing Glutamic Acid.- Vernonia Oil: A New Reactive Monomer.- Interpenetrating Polymer Networks Based on Functional Triglyceride Oils and Other Not Yet Commercial Renewable Resources.- Structural Characterization of Organostannane Kraft Lignin.- II. Polysaccharide Based Systems.- Examples of Analytical Approaches to Industrially Important Poly (saccharides).- Bacterial Polysaccharides for Use in Food and Agriculture.- Degree of Substitution of Dextran Modified Through Reaction With Organostannane Chlorides and Group IV-B Metallocene Dichlorides.- Acidic Polysaccharides: Their Modification and Potential Uses.- Structure-Controlled Synthesis of Regiospecifically Modified Polysaccharides Starting From a Pyrolysis Product of Cellulose.- Biological Gels: The Gelation of Chitosan and Chitin.- Transport Properties of Membranes Containing Chitosan Derivatives.- Sorption Behavior of Chemically Modified Chitosan Gels.- III. Protein and Enzyme Based Systems.- Quinone Chemistry: Applications in Bioadhesion.- Synthetic Mussel Adhesive Proteins.- Poly (VAL1-PRO2-ALA3-VAL4-GLY5) : A Reversible, Inverse Thermoplastic.- Requirement for a 1-µm Pore Channel Opening During Perifheral Nerve Regeneration Through a Biodegradable Chemical Analog ofECM.- The Development of Collagen Nerve Conduits That Promote Peripheral Nerve Regeneration.- Polymeric Reagents for Protein Modification.- Preparation of Semisynthetic Enzymes by Chemical Means.- Redesign of Protein Function: A Semisynthetic Selenoenzyme.- Spacer Effects on Enzymatic Activity Immobilized Onto Polymeric Substrates.- Contributors.