Enzyme-responsive polymer assemblies constructed through covalent synthesis and supramolecular strategy

Abstract

Enzyme-responsive polymer assemblies have proved to be promising candidates for biomaterials, biomedicine and biosensing. Traditionally, these assemblies are prepared by the self-assembly of polymer building blocks which are covalently conjugated with enzyme-responsive moieties. Moreover, a supramolecular strategy has recently been developed for the preparation of enzyme-responsive polymer assemblies where the enzyme-responsive moieties are non-covalently complexed with the polymer building blocks. In addition, kinetic studies have been conducted on the enzyme-responsive behaviour of the polymer assemblies, which paves the way for tuning the response rate of the assemblies in a controlled manner.