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Smart hybrid materials by conjugation of responsive polymers to biomacromolecules

Nature Materials volume 14, pages 143–159 (2015)Cite this article

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Abstract

The properties and applications of biomacromolecules, for example proteins, can be enhanced by the covalent attachment of synthetic polymers. This Review discusses the modification of these biomacromolecules with stimuli-responsive polymers.

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Figure 1: The three primary methods for synthesizing polymer bioconjugates by controlled radical polymerization.
Figure 2: The conjugation of polymers, initiating groups or polymerizable groups can be accomplished by targeting amino or thiol functional groups present on the biomacromolecule.
Figure 3: An example of a smart polymer bioconjugate prepared by the grafting-to approach.
Figure 4: A variety of less common, but highly effective functionalization strategies employed in the synthesis of polymer bioconjugates.
Figure 5: The grafting-from method can prepare polymer bioconjugates in which the block copolymer is of relatively high molecular weight or has block-type architectures.
Figure 6: The grafting-through approach allows the in situ formation of Pluronic–fibrinogen-based hydrogels.
Figure 7: The responsive nature of smart polymer bioconjugates allows the selective isolation of biological macromolecules from complex mixtures.
Figure 8: Responsive polymers can be used to reversibly control access to the active site of enzymes to which they are attached.

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Acknowledgements

A portion of this work was supported by the National Science Foundation (DMR-1410223; B.S.S.), Henkel (I.C.), the Royal Society Wolfson Award (S.P.) and the Monash-Warwick Alliance (S.P.).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Centre for Polymers & Colloids, School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, 2006, New South Wales, Australia

    Isidro Cobo

  2. Tyco Fire Protection Products, Mansfield, 76063, Texas, USA

    Ming Li

  3. Department of Chemistry, George & Josephine Butler Polymer Research Laboratory, Center for Macromolecular Science & Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611-7200, Florida, USA

    Brent S. Sumerlin

  4. Department of Chemistry, The University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK

    Sébastien Perrier

  5. Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052, Victoria, Australia

    Sébastien Perrier

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  1. Isidro Cobo
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  4. Sébastien Perrier
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Correspondence to Brent S. Sumerlin or Sébastien Perrier.

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Cobo, I., Li, M., Sumerlin, B. et al. Smart hybrid materials by conjugation of responsive polymers to biomacromolecules. Nature Mater 14, 143–159 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat4106

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