Issue 9, 2019

Copolymers containing carbohydrates and other biomolecules: design, synthesis and applications

Abstract

Glycopolymers are synthetic polymers containing pendant carbohydrate groups. Other biological compounds can be incorporated into glycopolymers to prepare both random and block copolymers aimed at bio-related applications: boronic acid can be introduced as a functional group to obtain crosslinked hydrogels; cholesterol and bile acids can be introduced to render the polymers more hydrophobic for the formation of micelles. Sugar-containing block copolymers with biocompatible blocks such as polypeptides, poly(ethylene glycol), poly(lactic acid) and poly(ε-caprolactone) were also prepared for potential application in drug carriers. These glycopolymers interact with lectins or lectin-containing surfaces as natural carbohydrate mimics. This review highlights the recent progress in the synthesis of random or block glycopolymers. Examples of the applications of glycopolymers in the separation and removal of toxins and bacteria, tumor cell recognition and glucose-responsive insulin delivery are presented and discussed.

Graphical abstract: Copolymers containing carbohydrates and other biomolecules: design, synthesis and applications

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
30 11 2018
Accepted
21 1 2019
First published
22 1 2019

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2019,7, 1361-1378

Copolymers containing carbohydrates and other biomolecules: design, synthesis and applications

Z. Ma and X. X. Zhu, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2019, 7, 1361 DOI: 10.1039/C8TB03162B

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