Dendrimers

Abstract

Dendrimers are polymeric macromolecules constituted of a repetitive sequence of monomers growing step-by-step from a multifunctional core in a radial iterative fashion, not by polymeric reactions. Their synthesis offers the opportunity to generate monodisperse, structure-controlled architectures resulting in utility in specific biomedical applications. Advances in the role of molecular weight and architecture on the behaviour of these dendrimers, together with recent progress in the design of biodegradable chemistries, has permitted the application of these branched polymers as antiviral drugs and in other applications outside medicine.

New synthetic procedure for the antiviral sulfonate carbosilane dendrimer G2-S16 and its fluorescein-labelled derivative for biological studies

“…One type of these macromolecules are dendrimers, which are hyperbranched molecules of well-dened structure, monodisperse and with a multivalent surface due to their step-by-step growing. 1 Regarding antiviral activity, anionic dendrimers have also been explored. [2][3][4][5] The sulfonate derivative SPL7013 (polylysine framework) was shown to be a potent inhibitor against some HIV-1 strains, and reached phase III clinical trials.…”