Issue 5, 2012

Biological stimuli and biomolecules in the assembly and manipulation of nanoscale polymeric particles

Abstract

Living systems are replete with complex, stimuli-responsive nanoscale materials and molecular self-assemblies. There is an ever increasing and intense interest within the chemical sciences to understand, mimic and interface with these biological systems utilizing synthetic and/or semi-synthetic tools. Our aim in this review is to give perspective on this emerging field of research by highlighting examples of polymeric nanoparticles and micelles that are prepared utilizing biopolymers together with synthetic polymers for the purpose of developing nanomaterials capable of interacting and responding to biologically relevant stimuli. It is expected that with the merging of evolved biological molecules with synthetic materials, will come the ability to prepare complex, functional devices. A variety of applications will become accessible including self-healing materials, self-replicating systems, biodiagnostic tools, drug targeting materials and autonomous, adaptive sensors. Most importantly, the success of this type of strategy will impact how biomolecules are stabilized and incorporated into synthetic devices and at the same time, will influence how synthetic materials are utilized within biomedical applications.

Graphical abstract: Biological stimuli and biomolecules in the assembly and manipulation of nanoscale polymeric particles

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
28 Oct 2011
Accepted
10 Jan 2012
First published
14 Feb 2012

Chem. Sci., 2012,3, 1363-1380

Biological stimuli and biomolecules in the assembly and manipulation of nanoscale polymeric particles

L. M. Randolph, M. Chien and N. C. Gianneschi, Chem. Sci., 2012, 3, 1363 DOI: 10.1039/C2SC00857B

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements