This volume comes from manuscriptscontributed by invited speakers to the NATO AdvancedStudyInstitute on Biopolymers, which was held in Izmir, during August 27th - September 5th, 1984. Many more detailshave been added to the manuscripts as a resultof the interchange of ideas during the symposium. This book includes 16 papers which were originallypresented at the meeting by some of the world'sforemostinvestigators. In this volume, the existing basic knowledgeacross the wholefieldof polymericbiomaterials is reviewed.Classification, structure,composition, synthesis, modification and fabrication of these novel materialsis included in detail. Fundamental phenomena involved in the interactionof polymers with the biological environmentand resultingresponses of blood and tissue components are discussed. Modification of polymers physically,chemicallyor biochemically, in order to improve their biocompatibility is included. Selected applications of polymeric biomaterialsin Medicine, Dentistry,Biotechnology, Pharmacology and otherrelated fieldsarealsocovered. We stronglyhope thatthis book will be agreatcontribution to the rapidly expanding field of biomaterialsand willhelp to stimulate an even more excitingfuturefor th is field. ErhanPiskin AllanS. Hoffman VI ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS NATO Advanced Study Institute on "Biopolymers" was held in Izmir during August 27th - September 5th, 1984. I would like to ex press my deepest appreciation and gratitude to NATO Scientific Affairs Division, that our meeting has been accepted as a NATO ASI, and has been supported by their programmes. I wish to thank also to all the other supporting firms and organizations, especially to Hacettepe University and Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Council.

Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute on Biopolymers, Izmir, Turkey, August 27-September 5, 1984

Inhalt
Applications of Synthetic Polymeric Biomaterials in Medicine and Biotechnology.- In-Vitro and In-Vivo Test Methods for Assessing Bloodcompatibility.- In-Vivo Biocompatibility Studies: Perspectives on the Evaluation of Biomedical Polymer Biocompatibility.- Physicochemical Characteristics of Biopolymers.- Biodegradable Polymers for Medical Purposes.- Tailor Made Composite Materials for Biomedical Use.- Synthetic Polymeric Membranes: Classification, Preparation, Structure and Transport Mechanisms.- Synthetic Polymeric Membranes: Separation Via Membranes.- Synthetic Polymeric Membranes: Biological Applications.- Biopolymers in Controlled Release Systems.- Hydrogels in Controlled Drug Delivery.- Controlled Drug Delivery with Colloidal Polymeric Sytems.- Bioadhesive Intraoral Release Systems.- Artificial Skin: A Fifth Route to Organ Repair and Replacement.- Plasma Polymerization and Plasma Modification of Surfaces for Biomaterials Applications.- Surface Modification of Biopolymer Materials.