Star polymer-based unimolecular micelles and their application in bio-imaging and diagnosis

Universal Size and Shape Ratios for Arms in Star‐Branched Polymers: Theory and Mesoscopic Simulations

“…However, to make some definite statement, more comparison between various simulations is needed. Finally, we analyze the level of asphericity of individual arm in the presence of other branches as given by the p a ratio defined in Equation (7). Since no other numerical studies of this quantity are available so far, for comparison we performed also lattice simulations based on the Monte Carlo growth chain algorithm in addition to dissipative dynamics simulation.…”

“…To this end, we consider the characteristics, specific to an individual arm within the star, such as the average center-end distance , 2 〈 〉 r e f , the average squared gyration radius , 2 〈 〉 r g f , and the asphericity of an individual arm within a star 〈a f 〉. The corresponding universal ratios p e (f ), p g (f ), and p a (f ), as given by Equations (6) and (7), are introduced, to compare these values directly with that of a freely suspended linear chain of the same molecular weight. Note these values are independent of any details of chemical structure of molecules and are governed only by global parameters, such as dimension of space d or functionality f.…”

“…[4,5] Amphiphilic star-shaped copolymers have recently attracted much attention because they can assemble into micelles with cores surrounded by hydrophilic shells in aqueous medium. [6][7][8][9] The encapsulation of guest molecules into these shells can be used, in particular, in controlled delivery property that characterizes the level of "spherization" of the star can be defined as [23] ( )…”

Visualizing in vitro-in vivo correlation of miktoarm copolymer nanomicelles in cancer cellular uptake and trafficking

“…Advances in nanotechnology have fostered to construct a diversity of nanomaterials with the ability to encapsulate and transport therapeutic or diagnostic agents 1-3 . Among these nanoscale delivery vehicles, polymeric micelles attracted the most attention in diverse biomedical fields as drug delivery vehicles 4-5 , contrast agents carriers 6-7 and diagnostic devices [8][9] . The advantages of polymeric micelles used as drug delivery vectors include improving the solubility of poorly water soluble drugs with the amphiphilic structures 10 , stabilizing and protecting drugs that are sensitive to the surrounding environment 11 , reducing nonspecific uptake by the reticuloendothelial system (RES) 12 and achieving the passive targeting delivery in solid tumors [13][14] .…”

Synthetic Methodologies for Chelating Polymer Ligands: Recent Advances and Future Development

“…The simplest branched macromolecules are called star-shaped polymers, which contain several linear polymer chains attached to only one fixation point (core). [226] Star-shaped polymers are divided into two classes: homoarm (or conventional) and miktoarm (or heteroarm) star-shaped copolymers (Figure 26). [227] Homoarm star-shaped polymers have a symmetric structure containing divergent arms with the same chemical composition and similar molecular weight.…”