African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development is co-published by Taylor & Francis and NISC (Pty) Ltd African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 2014 Vol. 6, No. 2, 145–157, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2014.924270 © 2014 African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development A review of polymeric biomaterials research for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications at the Centre for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research, Mauritius Archana Bhaw-Luximon, Roubeena Jeetah, Nowsheen Goonoo, Anisha Veeren, Yeshma Jugdawa, Dhanjay Jhurry* Centre of Excellence for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research, University of Mauritius, MSIRI Building, Réduit, Mauritius *Corresponding author e-mail: djhurry@uom.ac.mu The purpose of this review article is to showcase research in the area of polymeric nanobiomaterials and nanocarriers for drug delivery, especially on the economically fast-growing African continent where research in the field of advanced polymers and nanomedicine can play an important role in addressing crucial health issues. In biomaterials research, we have developed a new family of poly(ester-ether)s and shown that poly(methyl dioxanone) (PMeDX) can efficiently assist in fine-tuning mechanical and biological properties of scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. Interestingly, degradation of scaffold films was proceeded by bulk erosion, whereas that of fibres took place by a surface erosion mechanism. In vitro cell culture studies conducted using human dermal fibroblasts showed that the electrospun polydioxanone/poly(methyl dioxanone) (PDX/PMeDX) nanofibrous scaffolds supported better cell attachment and proliferation compared to electrospun PDX. Our main focus has been on the engineering of various self-assembled nanomicelles based on a biodegradable poly(dioxanone-co-methyl dioxanone) core and hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) or poly(vinyl pyrolidone) or polylysine or oligoagarose shell. High drug encapsulation efficiency and prolonged drug release have been demonstrated. Adjustment of the dioxanone to methyl dioxanone ratio gives a range of copolymers whose physicochemical and biological properties can be tuned to meet specific drug delivery requirements. The efficacy of these copolymers to encapsulate and release anti-inflammatory, anti-tuberculosis drugs and anti-cancer drugs has been tested and are quite promising. Keywords: amphiphilic block and graft copolymers, drug delivery carriers, nanobiomaterials, nanomedicine, nanomicelles JEL classification: L60, L65, O30 Introduction Regenerative medicine is currently a US$500 billion market with focus on biomaterials and stem-cell therapies. Three major markets for regenerative medicine products are: (1) repair and replacement of bone, cartilage and other tissues for orthopaedic applications, (2) therapies to treat cardio- vascular disease and (3) treatments able to repair and reverse neurologic damage caused by trauma or disease processes including nerve repair. The need for scaffolds with improved physicochemical, mechanical and biological properties is a key element for the development of this area. Personalised medicine is individualised treatment and care based on personal and genetic variation. This represents globally more than a US$200 billion market with a projected annual growth of 11% per annum. To adapt to changes, strategic developments are taking place at the level of the pharmaceutical industry, which is moving from blockbuster drugs to more targeted drugs. The success of personalised and preventive medicine will depend to a large extent on access to genomic, proteomic and metabolomic information together with high-throughput technologies. Mauritius is endeavouring to develop a knowledge-based economy by encouraging the setting-up of biomedical and ocean industries. The Centre for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research (CBBR), set up in 2011 at the University of Mauritius, aims to spearhead biomedical research and act as a bridge between the university and industry. CBBR focuses on research at the frontiers of materials science, biological sciences, and medicine and pharmacy using enabling technologies such as biotechnology and nanotechnology (Figure 1). CBBR research thrusts include (1) advanced polymer materials, biomaterials and nano-drug delivery as well as the development of value-added products from indigenous land and marine resources and (2) biopharma- ceuticals based on endemic medicinal plants, their biolog- ical activity and molecular mechanisms of action for the prevention of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. This paper presents a review of research undertaken at CBBR based on the use of polymeric biomaterials as scaffolds and as nanocarriers for controlled or sustained drug delivery applications. Materials and methods Poly(ester-ether) scaffolds Synthesis of copolymers Poly(dioxanone- co-methyl dioxanone) [P(DX-co- MeDX)] random copolymers were synthesised by