Biochemically adaptive materials based on (Iso)thermally-responsive polymers

摘要: The ability to programme and manipulate small changes at the molecular level elicit a dramatically enhanced macroscopic response makes “stimuli-responsive” materials fascinating topic of study. This work seeks solubility switch associated with polymers exhibiting Lower Critical Solution Temperature without temperature change (‘isothermally’). concept, as overviewed in Chapter 1, has attractive applications biological settings where variations vivo microenvironments may be used produce increasingly targeted delivery vehicles, mediate cell membrane interactions. Using controlled radical polymerisation, pre-designed backbones, end-group(s) or side-chains can control hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance thermo-responsive system. Chapters 2 3 investigate this using chemical reduction functional polymer backbone end-group trigger isothermal precipitation solubilisation linear nanoparticle systems respectively. 4 applies metal-ligand binding motif, prevalent bacteria, end-functional an alternative means promoting precipitation. motif is then transferred system 5, for first time prepare optical, particle-based biosensor detection physiologically relevant iron concentrations. Finally, 6 describes enzymatic degradation side-chain triggering considers its potential cellular uptake. In summary, series functionalised nanoparticles have been synthesised their (isothermal) responses characterised. These exciting emerging field nanomedicine.