Protein-polymer amphiphilic chimeras: recent advances and future challenges

Abstract

During the past decades numerous studies have focused on the bridging of components derived from both the natural and the synthetic world with the aim of creating new biomaterials with improved properties and functions. This review illustrates the range of well-defined protein-polymer amphiphiles—Giant Amphiphiles—prepared in very recent years. Giant Amphiphiles are classified in terms of the conceptually different approaches developed to tackle their synthesis. The variety of high turnover methodologies, the expression of the intrinsic properties of the synthetic and/or the biological component and the aggregation/activity profile of each individual system are discussed with the aim of providing a basis for the rational design of new generations of biomacromolecular chimeras aimed for high-impact applications.