CO Releasing Organic Polymers for Biomedical Applications

Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced in small quantities by the human body, and has proven to be an important signaling molecule, vasodilator, anti-inflammatory, and tumor-suppressant. Here, we will develop a new class of polymeric carbon monoxide releasing molecules (CORMs) that efficiently release CO gas via photolysis. These CORMs will be engineered to produce non-toxic byproducts after the release of CO and are readily metabolized in the human body.