Synthesis of protein–polymer conjugates

Abstract

Protein–polymer conjugates are widely employed for applications in medicine, biotechnology and nanotechnology. Covalent attachment of synthetic polymers to proteins improves protein stability, solubility, and biocompatibility. Furthermore, synthetic polymers impart new properties such as self assembly and phase behavior. Polymer attachment at amino acid side-chains and at ligand binding sites is typically exploited. This Emerging Area focuses on synthetic methods to prepare protein-reactive polymers and also employing the protein itself as an initiator for polymerization.