Recent Developments on Citric Acid Derived Biodegradable Elastomers

Extracellular vesicle therapeutics for cardiac repair

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-secreted heterogeneous vesicles that play crucial roles in intercellular communication and disease pathogenesis. Due to their non-tumorigenicity, low immunogenicity, and therapeutic potential, EVs are increasingly used in cardiac repair as cell-free therapy. There exist multiple steps for the design of EV therapies, and each step offers many choices to tune EV properties. Factors such as EV source, cargo, loading methods, routes of administration, surface modification, and biomaterials are comprehensively considered to achieve specific goals. PubMed and Google Scholar were searched in this review, 89 articles related to EV-based cardiac therapy over the past five years (2019 Jan - 2023 Dec) were included, and their key steps in designing EV therapies were counted and analyzed. We aim to provide a comprehensive overview that can serve as a reference guide for researchers to design EV-based cardiac therapies.

Poly(octamethylene citrate) Modified with Glutathione as a Promising Material for Vascular Tissue Engineering

One of the major goals of vascular tissue engineering is to develop much-needed materials that are suitable for use in small-diameter vascular grafts. Poly(1,8-octamethylene citrate) can be considered for manufacturing small blood vessel substitutes, as recent studies have demonstrated that this material is cytocompatible with adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) and favors their adhesion and viability. The work presented here is focused on modifying this polymer with glutathione (GSH) in order to provide it with antioxidant properties, which are believed to reduce oxidative stress in blood vessels. Cross-linked poly(1,8-octamethylene citrate) (cPOC) was therefore prepared by polycondensation of citric acid and 1,8-octanediol at a 2:3 molar ratio of the reagents, followed by in-bulk modification with 0.4, 0.8, 4 or 8 wt.% of GSH and curing at 80 °C for 10 days. The chemical structure of the obtained samples was examined by FTIR-ATR spectroscopy, which confirmed the presence of GSH in the modified cPOC. The addition of GSH increased the water drop contact angle of the material surface and lowered the surface free energy values. The cytocompatibility of the modified cPOC was evaluated in direct contact with vascular smooth-muscle cells (VSMCs) and ASCs. The cell number, the cell spreading area and the cell aspect ratio were measured. The antioxidant potential of GSH-modified cPOC was measured by a free radical scavenging assay. The results of our investigation indicate the potential of cPOC modified with 0.4 and 0.8 wt.% of GSH to produce small-diameter blood vessels, as the material was found to: (i) have antioxidant properties, (ii) support VSMC and ASC viability and growth and (iii) provide an environment suitable for the initiation of cell differentiation.

3D Printability Assessment of Poly(octamethylene maleate (anhydride) citrate) and Poly(ethylene glycol) Diacrylate Copolymers for Biomedical Applications

Herein, we present the first example of 3D printing with poly(octamethylene maleate (anhydride) citrate) (POMaC), a bio-adhesive material which has shown particular promise for implantable biomedical devices. The current methods to fabricate such devices made from POMaC are hindered by the imposed constraints of designing complex molds. We demonstrate the feasibility of exploiting additive manufacturing to 3D print structural functional materials consisting of POMaC. We present 3D printing of biomaterial copolymers consisting of mixtures of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) and POMaC at different ratios. The required parameters were optimized, and characterization of the printing fidelity and physical properties was performed. We have also demonstrated that a range of mechanical properties can be achieved by tuning the POMaC/PEGDA ratio. The biocompatibility of the copolymers was ascertained via a cell viability assay. Such tunable 3D printed biomaterials consisting of POMaC and PEGDA will have significant potential application in the development of functional biomaterial tissue scaffolds and biomedical devices for the future of personalized medicine.

Collagen- and hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels and their biomedical applications

Hydrogels have been widely investigated in biomedical fields due to their similar physical and biochemical properties to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Collagen and hyaluronic acid (HA) are the main components of the ECM in many tissues. As a result, hydrogels prepared from collagen and HA hold inherent advantages in mimicking the structure and function of the native ECM. Numerous studies have focused on the development of collagen and HA hydrogels and their biomedical applications. In this extensive review, we provide a summary and analysis of the sources, features, and modifications of collagen and HA. Specifically, we highlight the fabrication, properties, and potential biomedical applications as well as promising commercialization of hydrogels based on these two natural polymers.

Valorization of Crude Glycerol, Residue Deriving from Biodiesel- Production Process, with the Use of Wild-type New Isolated Yarrowia lipolytica Strains: Production of Metabolites with Pharmaceutical and Biotechnological Interest

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Crude glycerol (Glol), used as substrate for screening eleven natural Yarrowia lipolytica strains in shake-flask experiments. Aim of this study was to assess the ability of the screened strains to produce biomass (dry cell weight; X), lipid (L), citric acid (Cit), mannitol (Man), arabitol (Ara) and erythritol (Ery), compounds presenting pharmaceutical and biotechnological interest, in glycerol-based nitrogen-limited media, in which initial glycerol concentration had been adjusted to 40 g/L.

METHODS

Citric acid may find use in biomedical engineering (i.e. drug delivery, tissue engineering, bioimaging, orthopedics, medical device coating, wound dressings). Polyols are considered as compounds with non-cariogenic and less calorigenic properties as also with low insulin-mediated response. Microbial lipids containing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are medically and dietetically important (selective pharmaceutical and anticancer properties, aid fetal brain development, the sight function of the eye, hormonal balance and the cardio-vascular system, prevent reasons leading to type-2 diabetes, present healing and anti-inflammatory effects).

RESULTS

All strains presented satisfactory microbial growth (Xmax=5.34-6.26 g/L) and almost complete substrate uptake. The principal metabolic product was citric acid (Citmax=8.5-31.7 g/L). Production of cellular lipid reached the values of 0.33-0.84 g/L. Polyols were also synthesized as strain dependent compounds (Manmax=2.8-6.1 g/L, Aramax ~2.0 g/L, Erymax= 0.5-3.8 g/L). The selected Y. lipolytica strain ACA-DC 5029 presented satisfactory growth along with synthesis of citric acid and polyols, thus, was further grown on media presenting an increased concentration of Glol~75 g/L. Biomass, lipid and citric acid production presented significant enhancement (Xmax=11.80 g/L, Lmax=1.26 g/L, Citmax=30.8 g/L), but conversion yield of citric acid produced per glycerol consumed was decreased compared to screening trials. Erythritol secretion (Erymax=15.6 g/L) was highly favored, suggesting a shift of yeast metabolism from citric acid accumulation towards erythritol production. Maximum endopolysaccharides (IPS) concentration was 4.04 g/L with yield in dry weight 34.2 % w/w.

CONCLUSION

Y. lipolytica strain ACA-YC 5029 can be considered as a satisfactory candidate grown in high concentrations of crude glycerol to produce added-value compounds that interest pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Characterization of Photoluminescent Polylactone-Based Nanoparticles for Their Applications in Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) affect a large number of the population across the globe and are the leading cause of death worldwide. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery has currently offered novel therapeutic options to treat these diseases, yet combination of both diagnostic and therapeutic abilities is further needed to understand factors and/or mechanisms that affect the treatment in order to design better therapies to challenge CVD. Biodegradable photoluminescent polylactones (BPLPLs) enable to bridge this gap as these materials exhibit a stable, long-term intrinsic fluorescence as well as offers excellent cytocompatibility and biodegradability properties. Herein, we formulated three different BPLPL based nanoparticles (NPs), including BPLP-co-poly (L-lactic acid) (BPLPL-PLLA), BPLP-co-poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymers with lactic acid and glycolic acid ratios of 75:25 (BPLPL-PLGA75:25) and 50:50 (BPLPL-PLGA50:50), and extensively evaluated their suitability as theranostic nanocarriers for CVD applications. All BPLPL based NPs were <160 nm in size and had photoluminescence characteristics and tunable release kinetics of encapsulated protein model depending on polylactones copolymerized with BPLP materials. Compared to BPLPL-PLLA NPs, BPLPL-PLGA NPs demonstrated excellent stability in various formulations including deionized water, serum, saline, and simulated body fluid over 2 days. In vitro cell studies with human umbilical vein derived endothelial cells showed dose-dependent accumulation of BPLPL-based NPs, and BPLPL-PLGA NPs presented superior compatibility with endothelial cells in terms of viability with minimal effects on cellular functions such as nitric oxide production. Furthermore, all BPLPL NPs displayed hemocompatibility with no effect on whole blood kinetic profiles, were non-hemolytic, and consisted of comparable platelet responses such as platelet adhesion and activation to those of PLGA, an FDA approved material. Overall, our results demonstrated that BPLPL-PLGA based NPs have better physical and biological properties than BPLPL-PLLA; hence they have potential to be utilized as functional nanocarriers for therapy and diagnosis of CVD.

Full biodegradable elastomeric nanocomposites fabricated by chitin nanocrystal and poly(caprolactone-diol citrate) elastomer

Chitin nanocrystal is a biocompatible and biodegradable nanofiller, with great potential in enhancing the mechanical and biological properties of polymers. Poly(caprolactone-diol citrate) is a kind of citrate-based biodegradable elastomer prepared by an additive-free melt polycondensation of polycaprolactone-diol and citric acid coupled with subsequent thermocuring. Here, a facile casting/evaporation method was utilized to prepare full biodegradable poly(caprolactone-diol citrate)/chitin nanocrystal nanocomposites, and their structure and properties were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, uniaxial tensile test, dynamic mechanical analysis, surface wettability and swelling analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, in vitro degradation, and cytocompatibility test. The results showed the chitin nanocrystals were uniformly distributed in the poly(caprolactone-diol citrate) matrix; with increasing chitin nanocrystal loading, the tensile modulus and strength significantly increased; furthermore, the incorporation of chitin nanocrystals endowed the poly(caprolactone-diol citrate) with more hydrophilicity, lower swelling in phosphate buffered saline solution, slow degradation rate, and greatly improved cytocompatibility. Thus, the chitin nanocrystal was a good bio-based nanofiller that could be used to tune the properties of poly(caprolactone-diol citrate) degradable bioelastomer.

Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogels Based on Polyglycerol Crosslinked with Citric and Fatty Acids

Polyglycerol-based hydrogels from biodegradable raw materials were synthesized by crosslinking reactions of polyglycerol with citric and fatty acids. Three hydrogels were studied varying molar ratios of crosslinking agent. It was found that crosslink amount, type, and size play a crucial role in swelling, thermal, mechanical, and stimuli-responsive properties. The hydrogels absorption capacity changed in response to temperature and pH external stimuli. The hydrogel with the highest swelling capacity absorbed more than 7 times its own weight at room temperature and pH 5. This material increased 14 times its own weight at pH 10. Creep-recovery tests were performed to study the effect of crosslinking agent on mechanical properties. Deformation and percentage of recovery of synthesized hydrogels were obtained. Formation of hydrogels was confirmed using FTIR, and physicochemical properties were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetric (DSC), and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). This paper aims to give a contribution to biobased hydrogel knowledge from chemical, physicochemical, and mechanical point of view.

A facile and green emulsion casting method to prepare chitin nanocrystal reinforced citrate-based bioelastomer

Chitin nanocrystal (ChiNC) is a promising reinforcing nanofiller for biomedical polymers. However, its self-aggregation characteristics caused processing difficulty in developing ChiNC-based nanocomposites. Herein, a new degradable crosslinked bioelastomer, designated as poly(1,8-octanediol-co-Pluronic F127 citrate) (POFC) was synthesized by melt polycondensation of citric acid, 1,8-octanediol, and Pluronic F127. In comparison to poly(1,8-octanediol citrate) (POC), POFC pre-polymer exhibited self-emulsifying property. Once ChiNC was introduced into the emulsion, a ChiNC stabilized Pickering emulsion was formed. Coupled with a facile green emulsion casting/evaporation method, the ChiNC ultimately reinforced ChiNC/POFC nanocomposite elastomer was fabricated. The presence of F127 segments endowed POFC with better hydrophilicity and shorter degradation time relative to POC. The incorporation of ChiNC into POFC network led to highly increased tensile modulus and strength. In vitro cytotoxicity tests indicated that the ChiNC/POFC elastomer nanocomposite had a good cytocompatibility and it appeared as a potential biomaterial for tissue engineering application.

Biodegradable citrate-based polyesters with S-nitrosothiol functional groups for nitric oxide release

Nitric oxide (NO) is a biologically-active free radical involved in numerous physiological processes such as regulation of vasodilation, promotion of cell proliferation and angiogenesis, and modulation of the inflammatory and immune responses. Furthermore, NO has demonstrated the ability to mitigate the foreign body response that often results in the failure of implanted biomedical devices. Although NO has promising therapeutic value, the short physiological half-life of exogenous NO complicates its effective delivery. For this reason, the development of NO-releasing materials that permit the localized delivery of NO is an advantageous method of utilizing this molecule for biomedical applications. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of biodegradable NO-releasing polyesters prepared from citric acid, maleic acid, and 1,8-octanediol. NO release was achieved by incorporation of S-nitrosothiol donor groups through conjugation of cysteamine and ethyl cysteinate to the polyesters, followed by S-nitrosation with tert-butyl nitrite. The extent of NO loading and the release properties under physiological conditions (pH 7.4 PBS, 37 °C) were determined by chemiluminesence-based NO detection. The average total NO content of poly(citric-co-maleic acid-co-1,8-octanediol)-cysteamine was determined to be 0.45 ± 0.07 mol NO g^-1 polymer, while the NO content for poly(citric-co-maleic acid-co-1,8-octanediol)-ethyl cysteinate was 0.16 ± 0.04 mol NO g^-1 polymer. Continuous NO release under physiological conditions was observed for at least 6 days for the cysteamine analog and 4 days for the ethyl cysteinate analog. Cell viability assays and morphological studies with human dermal fibroblasts indicated an absence of toxic leachates at a cytotoxic level, and suggested that these citrate-based polyesters may be suitable for future biomedical applications.

Covalently cross-linked hydroxyapatite–citric acid–based biomimetic polymeric composites for bone applications

Composite materials based on bioceramics and polymers offer excellent opportunities in the quest for developing optimal bone grafts for bone tissue engineering. Herein, we have functionalized nano hydroxyapatite with citric acid and subsequently cross-linked with poly(propylene fumarate) and poly(ethylene glycol) to afford a composite with better interfacial bonding properties. This study involved two biomimetic composites, 3CP-VP and 5CP-VP, prepared by varying the concentration of hydroxyapatite. Uniform homogenous distribution of hydroxyapatite was identified through Raman spectral imaging in both the composite matrices. The compressive moduli of the biomimetic composites after 4-week immersion in phosphate-buffered saline ranged between 100 and 300 MPa, which falls well within the accepted values reported for human trabecular bone. Moreover, biodegradation studies revealed only an average weight loss of 10%–17% during the 7-week time period. Furthermore, apatite mineralization was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and contact angle measurements revealed hydrophobic surfaces with preferential adsorption to albumin. More importantly, blood compatibility studies demonstrated no significant hemolysis and no visible red blood cell aggregation, while cytotoxicity evaluation via direct contact, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, and live–dead assays on human osteoblast sarcoma cell line exhibited good biocompatibility with negligible cytotoxicity. In addition, in vitro drug release studies with gentamycin-loaded composites demonstrated a controlled and sustained release profile with about 35% of drug released over a period of 2 weeks. These findings show that these composites could be developed into stand-alone bone substitutes for bone tissue engineering coupled with drug delivery applications.

Lignocellulosic biomass: a sustainable platform for the production of bio-based chemicals and polymers

The ongoing research activities in the field of lignocellulosic biomass for production of value-added chemicals and polymers that can be utilized to replace petroleum-based materials are reviewed.

In situ re-endothelialization via multifunctional nanoscaffolds

The endothelium monolayer lining in the luminal side of blood vessels provides critical antithrombotic functions. Damage to these cells will expose a highly thrombogenic subendothelium, which leads to pathological vascular changes. Using combined tissue engineering and ligand-receptor targeting strategy, we developed a biodegradable urethane-doped polyester (UPE) multifunctional targeting nanoparticle (MTN) scaffold system with dual ligands: (1) glycoprotein 1b (GP1b) to target the injured arterial endothelium and subendothelium and (2) anti-CD34 antibodies to capture endothelial progenitor cells for endothelium regeneration. The fabricated spherical MTNs of 400 nm were found to be cytocompatible and hemocompatible. Both the in vitro and ex vivo targeting of these nanoscaffolds not only showed binding specificity of MTNs onto the von Willebrand factor -coated surfaces that simulate the injured arterial walls but also competed with platelets for binding onto these injured sites. Further in vivo study has revealed that a single delivery of MTNs upon vascular injury reduced neointimal hyperplasia by 57% while increased endothelium regeneration by ∼ 60% in 21 days. These results support the promise of using MTN nanoscaffolds for treating vascular injury in situ.

Regulating the mechanical properties of poly(1,8-octanediol citrate) bioelastomer via loading of chitin nanocrystals

Chitin nanocrystals successfully regulate the modulus and strength of poly(1,8-octanediol citrate) bioelastomer without the sacrifice of elongation.

A Rheological Study of Biodegradable Injectable PEGMC/HA Composite Scaffolds

Injectable biodegradable hydrogels, which can be delivered in a minimally invasive manner and formed in situ, have found a number of applications in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications, such as drug delivery and tissue engineering. We have recently developed an in situ crosslinkable citric acid-based biodegradable poly (ethylene glycol) maleate citrate (PEGMC)/hydroxyapatite (HA) composite, which shows promise for use in bone tissue engineering. In this study, the mechanical properties of the PEGMC/HA composites were studied in dynamic linear rheology experiments. Critical parameters such as monomer ratio, crosslinker, initiator, and HA concentrations were varied to reveal their effect on the extent of crosslinking as they control the mechanical properties of the resultant gels. The rheological studies, for the first time, allowed us investigating the physical interactions between HA and citric acid-based PEGMC. Understanding the viscoelastic properties of the injectable gel composites is crucial in formulating suitable injectable PEGMC/HA scaffolds for bone tissue engineering, and should also promote the other biomedical applications based on citric acid-based biodegradable polymers.

Development and long-term in vivo evaluation of a biodegradable urethane-doped polyester elastomer

We have recently reported upon the development of crosslinked urethane-doped polyester (CUPE) network elastomers, which was motivated by the desire to overcome the drawbacks presented by crosslinked network polyesters and biodegradable polyurethanes for soft tissue engineering applications. Although the effect of the isocyanate content and post-polymerization conditions on the material structure-property relationship was examined in detail, the ability of the diol component to modulate the material properties was only studied briefly. Herein, we present a detailed report on the development of CUPE polymers synthesized using diols 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 methylene units in length in order to investigate what role the diol component plays on the resulting material's physical properties, and assess their long-term biological performance in vivo. An increase in the diol length was shown to affect the physical properties of the CUPE polymers primarily through lowered polymeric crosslinking densities and elevated material hydrophobicity. The use of longer chain diols resulted in CUPE polymers with increased molecular weights resulting in higher tensile strength and elasticity, while also increasing the material hydrophobicity to lower bulk swelling and prolong the polymer degradation rates. Although the number of methylene units largely affected the physical properties of CUPE, the choice of diol did not affect the overall polymer cell/tissue-compatibility both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, we have established the diol component as an important parameter in controlling the structure-property relationship of the polymer in addition to diisocyanate concentration and post-polymerization conditions. Expanding the family of CUPE polymers increases the choices of biodegradable elastomers for tissue engineering applications.

Citric acid-derived in situ crosslinkable biodegradable polymers for cell delivery

Herein, we report a first citric acid (CA)-derived in situ crosslinkable biodegradable polymer, poly(ethylene glycol) maleate citrate (PEGMC). The synthesis of PEGMC could be carried out via a one-pot polycondensation reaction without using organic solvents or catalysts. PEGMC could be in situ crosslinked into elastomeric PPEGMC hydrogels. The performance of hydrogels in terms of swelling, degradation, and mechanical properties were highly dependent on the molar ratio of monomers, crosslinker concentration, and crosslinking mechanism used in the synthesis process. Cyclic conditioning tests showed that PPEGMC hydrogels could be compressed up to 75% strain without permanent deformation and with negligible hysteresis. Water-soluble PEGMC demonstrated excellent cytocompatibilty in vitro. The degradation products of PPEGMC also showed minimal cytotoxicity in vitro. Animal studies in rats clearly demonstrated the excellent injectability of PEGMC and degradability of the in situ-formed PPEGMC. PPEGMC elicited minimal inflammation in the early stages post-injection and was completely degraded within 30 days in rats. In conclusion, the development of CA-derived injectable biodegradable PEGMC presents numerous opportunities for material innovation and offers excellent candidate materials for in situ tissue engineering and drug delivery applications.

Crosslinked urethane doped polyester biphasic scaffolds: Potential for in vivo vascular tissue engineering

In vivo tissue engineering uses the body as a bioreactor for tissue regeneration, thus placing stringent requirements on tissue scaffolds, which should be mechanically robust for immediate implantation without a long in vitro cell culture time. In addition to mechanical strength, vascular grafts fabricated for in vivo tissue engineering approach must have matching mechanical properties to the target tissues to avoid compliance mismatch, which is one of the reasons for graft failure. We recently synthesized a new generation of strong and elastic biodegradable crosslinked urethane-doped polyesters (CUPE) to address the challenge of developing soft, elastic yet strong biodegradable polymers. This study evaluated the tensile strength, burst pressure, and suture retention of CUPE biphasic scaffolds to determine if the scaffolds met the requirements for immediate implantation in an in vivo tissue engineering approach. In addition, we also examined the hemocompatibility and inflammatory potential of CUPE to demonstrate its potential in serving as a blood-contacting vascular graft material. Tensile strength of CUPE biphasic scaffolds (5.02 ± 0.70 MPa) was greater than native vessels (1.43 ± 0.60 MPa). CUPE scaffolds exhibited tunable burst pressure ranging from 1500 mmHg to 2600 mmHg, and adequate suture retention values (2.45 ± 0.23 N). CUPE showed comparable leukocyte activation and whole blood clotting kinetics to poly(L-lactic acid) PLLA. However, CUPE incited a lesser release of inflammatory cytokines and was found to be non hemolytic. Combined with the mechanical properties and previously demonstrated anti-thrombogenic nature, CUPE may serve as a viable graft material for in vivo blood vessel tissue engineering.

Citric-acid-derived photo-cross-linked biodegradable elastomers

Citric-acid-derived thermally cross-linked biodegradable elastomers (CABEs) have recently received significant attention in various biomedical applications, including tissue-engineering orthopedic devices, bioimaging and implant coatings. However, citric-acid-derived photo-cross-linked biodegradable elastomers are rarely reported. Herein, we report a novel photo-cross-linked biodegradable elastomer, referred to as poly(octamethylene maleate citrate) (POMC), which preserves pendant hydroxyl and carboxylic functionalities after cross-linking for the potential conjugation of biologically active molecules. Pre-POMC is a low-molecular-mass pre-polymer with an average molecular mass between 701 and 1291 Da. POMC networks are soft and elastic with an initial modulus of 0.07 to 1.3 MPa and an elongation-at-break between 38 and 382%. FT-IR-ATR results confirmed the successful surface immobilization of type-I collagen onto POMC films, which enhanced in vitro cellular attachment and proliferation. Photo-polymerized POMC films implanted subcutaneously into Sprague-Dawley rats demonstrated minimal in vivo inflammatory responses. The development of POMC enriches the family of citric-acid-derived biodegradable elastomers and expands the available biodegradable polymers for versatile needs in biomedical applications.

Synthesis and characterization of a biodegradable elastomer featuring a dual crosslinking mechanism

The need for advanced materials in emerging technologies such as tissue engineering has prompted increased research to produce novel biodegradable polymers elastic in nature and mechanically compliant with the host tissue. We have developed a soft biodegradable elastomeric platform biomaterial created from citric acid, maleic anhydride, and 1,8-octanediol, poly(octamethylene maleate (anhydride) citrate) (POMaC), which is able to closely mimic the mechanical properties of a wide range of soft biological tissues. POMaC features a dual crosslinking mechanism, which allows for the option of the crosslinking POMaC using UV irradiation and/or polycondensation to fit the needs of the intended application. The material properties, degradation profiles, and functionalities of POMaC thermoset networks can all be tuned through the monomer ratios and the dual crosslinking mechanism. POMaC polymers displayed an initial modulus between 0.03 and 1.54 MPa, and elongation at break between 48% and 534% strain. In vitro and in vivo evaluation using cell culture and subcutaneous implantation, respectively, confirmed cell and tissue biocompatibility. POMaC biodegradable polymers can also be combined with MEMS technology to fabricate soft and elastic 3D microchanneled scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. The introduction of POMaC will expand the choices of available biodegradable polymeric elastomers. The dual crosslinking mechanism for biodegradable elastomer design should contribute to biomaterials science.