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Author of the Month: Prof. Makoto Obata

Professor Makoto Obata received his Ph.D. degree in polymer chemistry from Hokkaido University, Japan in 1999. In 2000, he joined Professor Percec’s group at the University of Pennsylvania as a postdoctoral fellow. After one and a half years, he joined the faculty of Nara Women’s University from 2001 to 2009. In 2009, he moved to the University of Yamanashi, where he is now an Associate Professor of Applied Chemistry. His research area is the synthetic chemistry of functional polymers containing carbohydrates and dyes.

Take a look at Professor Makoto Obata research group’s website (please select translate for English).

What was your inspiration in becoming a chemist?

The training of my scientific expertise started at Asahikawa National College of Technology, Hokkaido, Japan, when I was 15 years old. I had an impressive supervisor at the college, and I was enthusiastic about studying my first research project on the synthesis of polymers bearing crown-ether for lithium ion capturing. After this experience, I was enchanted with the design and synthesis of new materials, especially organic materials.

What was the motivation to write your Polymer Chemistry article?

I started my career in Professor Yano’s laboratory at Nara Women’s University, Japan. His research area is the coordination chemistry of carbohydrate and its medicinal applications, such as anti-cancer drugs. When I worked with him, I recognised the potential of carbohydrates in medical applications. Currently, polyethylene glycol (PEG) is the first choice for water-soluble and biologically compatible polymers for drug delivery applications. In the future, I would like to make glycopolymer a functional alternative to PEG following a recently developed, controlled polymerisation technique.

Why did you choose Polymer Chemistry to publish your work?

My colleagues and I recognise that Polymer Chemistry is a high quality journal in this area.

In which upcoming conferences may our readers meet you?

I hope to attend the 2015 International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies (PACIFICHEM 2015).

How do you spend your spare time?

My wife and I love arts, especially 17th century Dutch painting, and animals (we love cats and dogs, and she deeply loves penguins!). However, it is not easy to see such masterpieces in Japan…

Which profession would you choose if you were not a scientist?

Even if I had not become a chemist, I would maybe have worked as a scientific engineer. I have never imagined joining any other kind of profession.


Aqueous RAFT synthesis of block and statistical copolymers of 2-(α-D-mannopyranosyloxy)ethyl methacrylate with 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and their application for nonviral gene delivery
Makoto Obata, Tomoya Kobori, Shiho Hirohara and Masao Tanihara
Polym. Chem., 2015,6, 1793-1804
DOI: 10.1039/C4PY01652A

Block copolymers composed of 2-(α-D-mannopyranosyloxy)ethyl methacrylate (ManEMA) and 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) were synthesized by aqueous RAFT polymerization. The number-average degree of polymerization (DPn) of ManEMA segments was constant at 33, and the DPn of DMAEMA segments varied from 98 to 241. Statistical copolymers with a similar composition were also prepared via aqueous RAFT polymerization. The mannose-presenting nature was evaluated by a turbidimetric assay using Concanavalin A. The clustering rate of statistical copolymers was faster than those of the corresponding block copolymers. By contrast, no significant differences between block and statistical copolymers were found in their DNA-condensing ability as evaluated using gel shift assays and in their cytotoxicity in the transfection of plasmid DNA (pEGFP-N1) to HeLa cells. However, the overall transfection efficiency significantly depended on the monomer distribution. Statistical copolymers showed an overall transfection efficiency comparable to those of poly(DMAEMA·HCl)s, but block copolymers showed no detectable transfection under the same conditions.


Cyrille Boyer is a guest web-writer for Polymer Chemistry. He is currently an Associate Professor and an ARC-Future Fellow in the School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (Australia).


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Paper of the week: Precise one-pot synthesis of fully conjugated end-functionalized star polymers containing poly(fluorene-2,7-vinylene) (PFV) arms

Nomura et al. present the one-pot synthesis of star shaped conjugated polymers.

A facile, precise one-pot synthesis of end-functionalized star (triarm) polymers consisting of poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorene-2,7-vinylene)s (PFVs), the triblock copolymers [by incorporation of tri(2,5-dialkoxy-1,4-phenylene vinylene) or terthiophene units as the middle segment], has been achieved by olefin metathesis followed by Wittig-type coupling. Effects of the PFV conjugation length, the middle segment and the end groups on the emission properties have been studied.

Precise one-pot synthesis of fully conjugated end-functionalized star polymers containing poly(fluorene-2,7-vinylene) (PFV) arms by Kotohiro Nomura, Tahmina Haque, Tomohiro Miwata, Akiko Inagaki and Kenji Takamizu Polym. Chem., 2015,6, 380-388

Remzi Becer is a web-writer and advisory board member for Polymer Chemistry. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in Materials Science and the director of the Polymer Science and Nanotechnology masters programme at Queen Mary, University of London. Visit www.becergroup.com for more information.

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Polymer Chemistry Lectureship: Nominations now open

Do you know someone who deserves recognition for their contribution to the polymer field?

Now is your chance to ensure they receive the accolade they deserve.

Polymer Chemistry is pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for its Polymer Chemistry Lectureship 2015.  New in 2015, this award will be run annually by the journal to honour an early-stage career scientist who has made a significant contribution to the polymer field.

Qualification

To be eligible for the Polymer Chemistry Lectureship, the candidate should be in the earlier stages of their scientific career, typically within 15 years of attaining their doctorate or equivalent degree, and will have made a significant contribution to the field.

Description

The recipient of the award will be asked to present a lecture three times, one of which will be located in the home country of the recipient. The Polymer Chemistry Editorial Office will provide the sum of £1000 to the recipient for travel and accommodation costs.

The award recipient will be presented with the award at one of the three award lectures. They will also be asked to contribute a lead article to the journal and will have their work showcased on the back cover of the issue in which their article is published.

Selection

The recipient of the award will be selected and endorsed by the Polymer Chemistry Editorial Board.

Nominations

Those wishing to make a nomination should send details of the nominee, including a brief C.V. (no longer than 2 pages A4) together with a letter (no longer than 2 pages A4) supporting the nomination, to the Polymer Chemistry Editorial Office by 6th March 2015.  Self-nomination is not permitted.

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GFP 2014 Saint Malo Best Oral presentation Winner

GFP 2014 RSC Polymer Chemistry Oral Presentation Prize Winner

Lucie Imbernon receives her prize for the best Oral Presentation from Jean-Luc Audic at the GFP 2014- Saint Malo Congress

Lucie Imbernon receiving her Best Oral presentation prize at Groupe Français des Polymeres (GFP) 2014. The young PhD student winner was delighted with her gift certificate and will enjoy reading Polymer Chemistry thanks to the year’s subscription provided by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Lucie’s presentation was based on her PhD research and titled “Immiscible Blends of Epoxidized Natural Rubber: a Way to achieve Semi-Interpenetrating Networks.” She is part of the Soft Matter and Chemistry group at the ESPCI Paris-Tech-CNRS, PSL Research University in Paris. An overview of Lucie’s work is outlined in the abstract below:

“Directly obtained by epoxidation of Natural Rubber (NR), Epoxidized Natural Rubber (ENR) is a unique elastomer widely used in the industry. ENR retains most of the properties of natural rubber, in particular high tensile properties and resistance to crack propagation up to 50 mol% epoxidation. While keeping the advantages of NR, ENR presents a new reactive functionality. Our group recently showed the possibility to crosslink this elastomer by reaction with a dicarboxylic acid (DA). The DA molecules react with the epoxy groups, producing β hydroxy-esters along the chain.

Here, we show that different grades of ENR are immiscible and that the polar crosslinker DA is more soluble when the level of epoxidation increases. Because the curing rate is faster with more epoxidized grades of ENR, we selectively crosslinked blends of immiscible ENRs presenting different levels of epoxidation (ENR10 and ENR50).The morphology of the resulting material can be tuned from nodules of crosslinked ENR50 dispersed in a soft ENR10 matrix to a semi-interpenetrating continuous network giving rise to elastomeric properties (see figure below).”

Mechanical properties of the blends linked with their morphology

Mechanical properties of the blends linked with their morphology

Lucie’s work led to the publication of “Crosslinking of epoxidized natural rubber by dicarboxylic acids: An alternative to standard vulcanization” and “Semi-interpenetrating Networks in Blends of Epoxidized Natural Rubbers” last year in Macromolecular Symposia and Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics respectively.

GFP 2014 took place on 3rd – 6th November 2014 in Saint Malo and was the 43rd National Conference organised by the Groupe Français d’études etd’applications des Polymères.  It’s aim was to bring together around 200 researchers from different backgrounds, countries, universities, public research institutions and industries to discuss the latest advances in the field of polymers.

For the latest Polymer Chemistry news follow us on Twitter @PolymChem

Check out the latest Polymer Chemistry articles.

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Magnetic field and pH synergy controls therapeutic burst

Australian researchers have shown how alternating magnetic fields could be used to localise the release of cancer-fighting drugs to cancer cells, limiting side effects in the rest of the body.

May Lim at the University of New South Wales, and colleagues, have devised a system where a magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticle is bound to a temperature-responsive polymer onto which drug molecules can be attached via Schiff base bonds.

A magnetic field combined with the acidic environment of cancer tissue results in rapid hydrolysis of the Schiff base bond

A magnetic field combined with the acidic environment of cancer tissue results in rapid hydrolysis of the Schiff base bond

Interested? Read the full article at Chemistry World.

Spatial and temporal control of drug release through pH and alternating magnetic field induced breakage of Schiff base bonds
Alexander E. Dunn, Douglas J. Dunn, Alexander Macmillan, Renee Whan, Tim Stait-Gardner, William S. Price, May Lim and  Cyrille Boyer
Polym. Chem., 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4PY00150H

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10th International Conference on Advanced Polymers via Macromolecular Engineering 2013 Poster Prize winner

A huge congratulations to Alexander Hähnel who was awarded the Polymer Chemistry Poster Prize at the 10th International Conference on Advanced Polymers via Macromolecular Engineering (APME 2013). The conference took place from the 18 – 22 August 2013 in Durham, UK and was was sponsored by Polymer Chemistry and Soft Matter.

Poster Prize winners

(from left to right) Prize winners: Oğuz Türünç (Ghent University), Alexander Haehnel (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology), John Finnegan (University of Bristol)

APME 2013 focussed on the recent advances in polymer chemistry, polymer synthesis and polymer characterisation; further details about the conference can be found by taking a look at their website.

Fancy submitting an article to Polymer Chemistry? Then why not submit to us today!

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Happy holidays from Polymer Chemistry!

All of us in the Polymer Chemistry Editorial team would like to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year! The Editorial office will be closed from 24th December 2013 and will reopen on 2nd January 2014.

We’re really looking forward to 2014, which will see more high quality articles from top international polymer chemists, some great themed issues and much more.

Don’t miss out on all the journal news – follow us on twitter @PolymChem and like us on Facebook!

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Poster prize winners at the 2013 International Symposium on Stimuli-Responsive Materials

Many congratulations to the winners at the 2013 International Symposium on Stimuli-Responsive Materials! 

Chosen by an independent panel, the winners were: Akira Matsumoto (Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering at Tokyo Medical and Dental University) for the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, B & C poster prize, Justin Poelma for Polymer Chemistry and Saemi Oh for Soft Matter (University of California, Santa Barbara). 

The symposium which focuses on the field of stimuli-responsive materials from academia, industry, and government took place in October (20 – 22) this year at the Hilton Sonoma Wine Country in Santa Rosa, CA and was co-sponsored by the Royal Society of Chemistry. 

Akira Matsumoto

Akira Matsumoto receiving his poster prize for Journal of Materials Chemistry A, B, C

Justin Poelma

Justin Poelma receiving his prize for Polmer Chemistry

Saemi Oh winning the Soft Matter poster prize

Follow the latest journal news on Twitter @PolymChem or go to our Facebook page.

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IPST2013: International Polymer Conference, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

The Innovation in Polymer Science and Technology 2013 (IPST2013) was held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on October 7 – 10, 2013 and organised by the Indonesian Polymer Association (HPI). It was attended by more than 250 participants from over 20 countries; presenting about 200 paper works consisting of 102 oral and 108 poster presentations, including 7 plenary speakers, and 24 keynote speakers. To date, this event was the biggest international polymer conference, organised by the Indonesian Polymer Association.

IPST2013

The conference was officially opened by the representative of Indonesian government, the Ministry of Research and Technology of Indonesia. The Indonesian Polymer Association presented a 2013 HPI award to Dr. M. Sugandi (a former of the HPI’s chair) for her lifetime contributions in polymer research as well as in the polymer society in Indonesia. The best student posters were awarded to 5 students: Arum Patriati (Indonesia), Shih Ming Chang (Taiwan), Emiko Ohara (Japan), Ayami Nagayama (Japan), and Koay Seong Chun (Malaysia). Zainon Othman (Malaysia) and Firman Kurniawansyah (Indonesia) were awarded the best oral presentation prize.

The IPST2013 was officially closed by Ms. Eniya L. Dewi, the chair of the IPST2013 and ICFCHT2013. The next conference will take place in 2016 (IPST2016) and will be held in Padang, West Sumatera, Indonesia. We look forward to seeing you there!

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Polymer Chemistry: rapidly published, rapidly cited

Did you know that on average it takes fewer than 8 weeks from submission to publication* of a Polymer Chemistry article?

And it doesn’t take long before those articles are cited either: Polymer Chemistry has the highest immediacy indexǂ of all primary research journals in polymer science.

submit nowSo why delay sending your next article to Polymer Chemistry?

Polymer Chemistry

* Publication refers to online publication of the full edited version of the manuscript.
ǂ Immediacy index = 1.305 (2012 Journal Citation Reports ®, (Thomson Reuters, 2013)). The immediacy index is the average number of times an article is cited in the year it is published, and is an indication of how topical and urgent the work is.

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