Polymer Nanoreactors

Abstract

This article introduces protein–polymer systems that serve as chemical reaction spaces at the nanoscale. Such polymeric nanoreactors accommodate enzymatic reactions either inside polymer supramolecular assemblies or at their interfaces with the environment, or through a combination of both. We provide an overview of polymer structures that include micelles, vesicles (primarily polymersomes, but also PICsomes and peptosomes), dendrimers, layer‐by‐layer capsules, and capsids—all of which can accommodate sensitive biomolecules to mimic natural systems and functions. This article further deals with the functionalization of polymer membranes and the analytical techniques that apply to nanoreactors. In the last section, we highlight the most relevant applications of such polymeric nanoreactors in the domains of medicine, ecology, and biotechnology.

Biomimetic Strategy To Reversibly Trigger Functionality of Catalytic Nanocompartments by the Insertion of pH-Responsive Biovalves

“…Polymer membranes have been rendered permeable by various approaches: (i) using copolymers which generate porous membranes, − (ii) inducing pores by chemical treatment, ,, or (iii) mimicking cell membranes by insertion of biopores and MPs . Once reconstituted in polymersome membranes, MPs such as AqpZ, LamB, OmpF, Tsx, and FhuA ,, and membrane-penetrating peptides such as gramicidin , allow the diffusion of ions and small molecular weight molecules with a selectivity based on their intrinsic properties. To develop stimuli-responsive compartments that preserve their architecture as well as support in situ reactions, a biomimetic approach is to use appropriate MPs to induce responsiveness.…”