In this study the methods of synthesis of hydrophilic aldehyde-bearing polymers and copolymers based on 2-deoxy-2-methacrylamido-D-glucose have been developed. Polymers with controllable aldehyde group content were synthesized via free-radical polymerization and subsequent polymeranalogous modification. The water-soluble polymers obtained were investigated in view of their capacity to be adsorbed on two commercial mineral supports used in bone tissue engineering. Besides, cytotoxicity of synthesized polymers was tested. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.