We demonstrate a new procedure to synthesize covalently linked hyperbranched polyglycidol brushes on Si/SiO2 surfaces via anionic ring-opening multibranching polymerization of glycidol at 110 °C. Optimization of the polymerization experiments by exploiting reinitiation cycles produced polyglycidol brushes with ellipsometric thickness values of up to 70 nm. 13C NMR spectroscopy analysis of cleaved polymer allowed the elucidation of the structure and degree of branching of the polymer.

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With cancer being the major cause of mortality worldwide, the continued development of safe and efficacious treatments is warranted. A better understanding of the molecular mechanism and genetic basis of tumor initiation and progression, coupled with advances in chemistry, molecular biology and engineering have led to discovery of a wide range of therapeutic agents for cancer therapy. However, multidrug-resistance, which is mainly caused by malfunction of genes, has become a major problem in chemotherapy. To overcome this problem, the simultaneous delivery of genes to cancer cells has been proposed to correct the malfunctioned genes to sensitize the cells to chemotherapeutics. This progress report summarizes key advances in drug and gene delivery with focus on the development of polymers, peptides, liposomes and inorganic materials as nanocarriers for co-delivery of small molecular drugs and macromolecular genes or proteins. In addition, challenges and future perspectives in the design of nanocarriers for the co-delivery of therapeutic drugs and genes are discussed.

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A series of 12-amino acid peptide analogs is designed using point mutation strategy based on an α-helical peptide template. The first mutation in the series, KL12, has an idealized facial amphiphilicity. Subsequent mutations are performed to increase hydrophobic or cationic contents. Idealized facial amphiphilicity show enhanced antimicrobial activity and selectivity against most of the tested microbes. Increasing hydrophobic contents further enhance antimicrobial potency; however, selectivity of the most hydrophobic analog is impaired due to non-specific interactions with mammalian cell membrane. This study demonstrates that facial amphiphilicity and hydrophobic content are strongly correlated with antimicrobial activity and selectivity of antimicrobial peptides.