Abstract
The sol-gel technique through the formation of colloidal suspension (sol) and gelation of the sol into the gel enables the incorporation of active substances into the material during the processing. For biotechnology applications, biomolecules (such as proteins, enzymes, antibodies etc.) or bioactive substances (for example drugs) incorporation into the sol-gel matrix has been extensively studied and constituted a challenge for many researchers. This review highlights some discoveries reflected in a series of patents, in the field of sol-gel synthesis applied in biomedicine. These are considered the sol-gel processed carriers for the controlled release of bioactive substances, bioactive coating of biomedical implants by sol-gel technique and encapsulation of biomaterials in matrices prepared via sol-gel process.
Keywords: Bioactive coating, biomaterial encapsulation, controlled drug release carrier, sol-gel process, BIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES, BIOMEDICAL IMPLANTS, immobilization, biotechnology, colloidal suspension
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