Different synthetic approaches utilizing ring-opening polymerization of N-carboxyanhydrides for preparation of polypeptide and polypeptide-based hybrid materials with various molecular architectures are described. An overview of polymerization mechanisms using conventional (various amines) as well as some recently developed initiators (hexamethyldisilazane, N-heterocyclic persistent carbenes, etc.) is presented, and their benefits and drawbacks for preparation of polypeptides with well-defined chain lengths and chain-end functionality are discussed. Recent examples from literature are used to illustrate different possibilities for synthesis of pure polypeptide materials with different molecular architectures bearing various functional groups, which are introduced either by modification of amino acids, before they are transformed into corresponding N-carboxyanhydrides, or by post-polymerization modifications using protective groups and/or orthogonal functional groups. Different approaches for preparation of polypeptide-based hybrid materials are discussed as well using examples from recent literature. Syntheses of simple block copolymers or copolymers with more complex molecular architectures (graft and star copolymers) as well as modifications of nanoparticles and other surfaces with polypeptides are described.
B.06 Other
COBISS.SI-ID: 5825818Present invention describes the synthesis of biodegradable, high-molecular weight, mono-functional PEG-polypeptide reagents with branched structure and narrow dispersity of molecular weights for the use in protein conjugation.
F.32 International patent
COBISS.SI-ID: 5813018With the ever-growing assortment of various low-molecular weight drugs as well as fast development of biopharmaceuticals novel drug delivery systems need to be developed as well, that can prevent the chemical and physical degradation of the drugs, improve the drug solubility, improve its permeability through the cell membrane, reduce drug toxicity, achieve a more controlled drug release and longer exposure of the drug to the organism or to target specific cells or organs. In our work we focus on designing and synthesizing new polymer carriers that can perform the above mentioned tasks without the need for covalent bonding of the drug to the carrier (conjugation) but through non-covalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions and often overlooked hydrophobic interactions. The molecular structure of the polymer carrier thus needs to fit well with the structure of the drug, a condition which simple commercially available polymers cannot always satisfy.
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 5697562