Polymer Chemistry Blog

Scientists at Southern Methodist University, USA, have shown that retaining the active end group functionality during grafting-from RAFT polymerizations from model proteins can give thermoresponsive diblock copolymer–protein conjugates. The team behind the research claim that the reduced steric limitations of this method could help create a wide variety of block copolymer bioconjugates with high molecular weight synthetic components.

Interested to know more? Why not read the full paper: Hongmei Li, Ming Li, Xiao Yu, Abhijeet P. Bapat and Brent S. Sumerlin, Polym. Chem., 2011, 2, 1531-1535

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A method for preparing block copolypeptides with side-chain groups capable of orthogonal functionalisation via “click” chemistry has been developed by polymer chemists at Louisiana State University, USA. All the block copoly(α-peptide)s adopt α-helical conformations both in solid state and in solution. The team say that this methodology provides a convenient and modular approach towards helical block copoly(α-peptides) with diverse structures by side-chain conjugation, allowing control over polymer bioactivity, solubility and self-assembly properties.

Read the full paper: Haoyu Tang and Donghui Zhang, Polym. Chem., 2011, 2, 1542-1551

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Intermolecular radical 1,2-addition of the BlocBuilder MA alkoxyamine onto activated olefins: a versatile tool for the synthesis of complex macromolecular architecture: In this Hot Review Didier Gigmes et Al., discuss the potential of the intermolecular radical 1,2-addition from the commercially available BlocBuilder MA alkoxyamine onto activated olefins to synthesize either new functionalized alkoxyamines or various macromolecular architectures.

Didier Gigmes, Pierre-Emmanuel Dufils, David Glé, Denis Bertin, Catherine Lefay and Yohann Guillaneuf, Polym. Chem., 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1PY00057H, Advance Article

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Hyperbranched poly(amine-ester)s that combine thermo-responsiveness and a highly branched structure, can be used to construct smart drug delivery systems claim scientists from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. The team led by Xinyuan Zhu and Bangshang Zhu synthesized the hyperbranched polymers with a one-pot through proton-transfer polymerization of triethanolamine, trimethylolpropane, and glycidyl methacrylate using potassium hydride as a catalyst. The team used the hyperbranched polymers to encapsulate the anticancer drug doxorubicin and then tested the effectiveness of the release of the drug in cells.

Yan Pang, Jinyao Liu, Yue Su, Jieli Wu, Lijuan Zhu, Xinyuan Zhu, Deyue Yan and Bangshang Zhu, Polym. Chem., 2011,  DOI:10.1039/C1PY00053E,  Advance Article

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Architecture effects on L-selectin shedding induced by polypeptide-based multivalent ligands: Polymers can be used as multivalent backbones to probe cell surface receptor arrangement and cell signalling. In this hot paper Shuang Liu and Kristi Kiick synthesize a series of polypeptide-based multivalent ligands and study the architecture effects on L-selectin shedding using by L-selectin shedding assay and ELISA. The team claim that these polypeptide-based multivalent ligands may have potential physiological and pathological applications as cell biology tools, and in the regulation of cell functions or inflammatory responses. (Polym. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C1PY00063B, Advance Article)

Interested to know more? Why not read the full article available for free until 6^th June.