Polycondensation of Polymer Brushes via DNA Hybridization

Abstract

Triblock copolymer brushes were functionalized with nucleic acid sequences, which allowed the polymers to connect head-to-tail and form supramolecular nanostructures. Two approaches were designed and implemented, using either a palindromic DNA attached to both ends of the polymer or two different DNA sequences attached regiospecifically. Given appropriate conditions, the DNA-brush conjugates self-assembled to form either nanoworms with length up to several microns or cross-linked networks. This process is analogous to the step-growth polymerization of small molecule monomers.

Activated Ester Containing Polymers: Opportunities and Challenges for the Design of Functional Macromolecules

“…Unlike polyNHSMA/polyNHSA, polyNHSNorb can be used as a reactive macroinitiator for ROMP of (PEG-Norb). Following ROMP, Zang et al 203 synthesized PEG-based amphiphilic triblock copolymer brushes by sequential block copolymerization of NHSNorb and PEGNorb. PPM with nucleic acid sequences allowed polycondensation of the polymer chains by DNA hybridization of the terminal brushes.…”

“…497 The group of Ke Zhang could show that triblock copolymer brushes with functionalized ODN sequences at the ends allowed for polycondensation via a head-to-tail connection by DNA hybridization forming supramolecular nanostructures (Scheme 63). 203 Another important area of nucleic acid conjugation is found for RNA delivery. Here, often amphiphilic block copolymers featuring a hydrophobic activated ester block are utilized to prepare core−shell structures with a cationic charged core that can complex siRNA and a hydrophilic shell.…”

Synthesis and Applications of Compartmentalised Molecular Polymer Brushes

“…[3] Thefirst examplesofthe useofmolecular brushesin particle-particleassembly have been recentlydemonstratedby controllingtheir end-to-end connectionthrough DNAh ybridisation [57] or hydrophobici nteractions. [58] Unlike theu se of diblockb rushes as surfactants( i.e.…”

Well-defined diblock brush polymer–drug conjugates for sustained delivery of paclitaxel

“…1,13 Specifically, it is important to control the dimensions of these scaffolds within the range of 10-200 nm, in order to avoid rapid clearance and to enable passive tumour targeting via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. [17][18][19][20][21] Drug delivery using brush polymers as encapsulation scaffolds has attracted considerable interest in recent years. [17][18][19][20][21] Drug delivery using brush polymers as encapsulation scaffolds has attracted considerable interest in recent years.…”