Abstract: A carrier particle (10) is arranged in use to encapsulate and carry a payload molecule (4) to a target biological environment, and comprises an internal cavity (8) in which a payload molecule (4) is contained. The cavity (8) is surrounded by a perm-selective hydrogel layer (6), and the payload molecule (4) is capable of being active when the particle (10) is at least adjacent the target biological environment.

Abstract: A two-step system for preparing biomaterials from polymeric precursors is disclosed. The method involves (a) shaping the polymeric precursors by inducing thermal gelation of an aqueous solution of the polymeric precursors and (b) curing the polymeric precursors by cross-linking reactive groups on the polymeric precursors to produce a cured material. The curing reaction involves either a Michael-type addition reaction or a free radical photopolymerization reaction in order to cross-link the polymeric materials. The biomaterials produced by this method have a variety of biomedical uses, including drug delivery, microencapsulation, and implantation.