Protein‐like structure and activity in synthetic polymers

Effect of Particle Heterogeneity in Catalytic Copper-Containing Single-Chain Polymeric Nanoparticles Revealed by Single-Particle Kinetics

Single-chain polymeric nanoparticles (SCPNs) have been extensively explored as a synthetic alternative to enzymes for catalytic applications. However, the inherent structural heterogeneity of SCPNs, arising from the dispersity of the polymer backbone and stochastic incorporation of different monomers as well as catalytic moieties, is expected to lead to variations in catalytic activity between individual particles. To understand the effect of structural heterogeneities on the catalytic performance of SCPNs, techniques are required that permit researchers to directly monitor SCPN activity at the single-polymer level. In this study, we introduce the use of single-molecule fluorescence microscopy to study the kinetics of Cu(I)-containing SCPNs towards depropargylation reactions. We developed Cu(I)-containing SCPNs that exhibit fast kinetics towards depropargylation and Cu-catalyzed azide-alkyne click reactions, making them suitable for single-particle kinetic studies. SCPNs were then immobilized on the surface of glass coverslips and the catalytic reactions were monitored at a single-particle level using total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy. Our studies revealed the interparticle turnover dispersity for Cu(I)-catalyzed depropargylations. In the future, our approach can be extended to different polymer designs which can give insights into the intrinsic heterogeneity of SCPN catalysis and can further aid in the rational development of SCPN-based catalysts.

Tailoring Hierarchical Structure and Rare Earth Affinity of Compositionally Identical Polymers via Sequence Control

Macromolecule sequence, structure, and function are inherently intertwined. While well-established relationships exist in proteins, they are more challenging to define for synthetic polymer nanoparticles due to their molecular weight, sequence, and conformational dispersities. To explore the impact of sequence on nanoparticle structure, we synthesized a set of 16 compositionally identical, sequence-controlled polymers with distinct monomer patterning of dimethyl acrylamide and a bioinspired, structure-driving di(phenylalanine) acrylamide (FF). Sequence control was achieved through multiblock polymerizations, yielding unique ensembles of polymer sequences which were simulated by kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. Systematic analysis of the global (tertiary- and quaternary-like) structure in this amphiphilic copolymer series revealed the effect of multiple sequence descriptors: the number of domains, the hydropathy of terminal domains, and the patchiness (density) of FF within a domain, each of which impacted both chain collapse and the distribution of single- and multichain assemblies. Furthermore, both the conformational freedom of chain segments and local-scale, β-sheet-like interactions were sensitive to the patchiness of FF. To connect sequence, structure, and target function, we evaluated an additional series of nine sequence-controlled copolymers as sequestrants for rare earth elements (REEs) by incorporating a functional acrylic acid monomer into select polymer scaffolds. We identified key sequence variables that influence the binding affinity, capacity, and selectivity of the polymers for REEs. Collectively, these results highlight the potential of and boundaries of sequence control via multiblock polymerizations to drive primary sequence ensembles hierarchical structures, and ultimately the functionality of compositionally identical polymeric materials.

Orthogonal Supramolecular Assemblies Using Side-Chain Functionalized Helical Poly(isocyanide)s

Mimicking the structure of proteins using synthetic polymers requires building blocks with structural similarity and the use of various noncovalent and dynamic covalent interactions. We report the synthesis of helical poly(isocyanide)s bearing diaminopyridine and pyridine side-chains and the multistep functionalization of the polymers' side-chains using hydrogen bonding and metal coordination. The orthogonality of the hydrogen bonding and metal coordination was proved by varying the sequence of the multistep assembly. The two side-chain functionalizations are reversible through the use of competitive solvents and/or competing ligands. Throughout the assembly and disassembly, the helical conformation of the polymer backbone is sustained as proved by circular dichroism spectroscopy. These results open the possibility to incorporate helical domains into complex polymer architectures and create a helical scaffold for smart materials.

Single-chain polymer nanoparticles in biomedical applications

Single-chain polymer nanoparticles (SCNPs) are a well-defined and uniquely sized class of polymer nanoparticles. The advances in polymer science over the past decades have enabled the development of a variety of intramolecular crosslinking systems, leading to particles in the 5-20 nm size regime. Which is aligned with the size regime of proteins and therefore making SCNPs an interesting class of NPs for biomedical applications. The high modularity of SCNP design and the ease of their functionalization have led to growing research interest. In this review, we describe different crosslinking systems, as well as the preparation of functional SCNPs and the variety of biomedical applications that have been explored.

Chemiluminescent self-reported unfolding of single-chain nanoparticles

We demonstrate the light-induced, crosslinker mediated collapse of linear polymer chains into single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) capable of self-reporting their unfolding. The crosslinker entails a phenyloxalate motif allowing for the targeted degradation of the SCNPs via addition of hydrogen peroxide that triggers chemiluminescence (CL). The time-dependant CL emission can serve as a guide to follow the time dependent unfolding of the SCNPs, allowing for a qualitative assessment of the underlying mechanism.

Iterative Exponential Growth of Oxygen-Linked Aromatic Polymers Driven by Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution Reactions

This work presents the first transition metal-free synthesis of oxygen-linked aromatic polymers by integrating iterative exponential polymer growth (IEG) with nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) reactions. Our approach applies methyl sulfones as the leaving groups, which eliminate the need for a transition metal catalyst, while also providing flexibility in functionality and configuration of the building blocks used. As indicated by 1) 1H-1H NOESY NMR spectroscopy, 2) single-crystal X-ray crystallography, and 3) density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the unimolecular polymers obtained are folded by nonclassical hydrogen bonds formed between the oxygens of the electron-rich aromatic rings and the positively polarized C-H bonds of the electron-poor pyrimidine functions. Our results not only introduce a transition metal-free synthetic methodology to access precision polymers but also demonstrate how interactions between relatively small, neutral aromatic units in the polymers can be utilized as new supramolecular interaction pairs to control the folding of precision macromolecules.

Automated PET-RAFT Polymerization Towards Pharmaceutical Amorphous Solid Dispersion Development

In pharmaceutical oral drug delivery development, about 90% of drugs in the pipeline have poor aqueous solubility leading to severe challenges with oral bioavailability and translation to effective and safe drug products. Amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) have been utilized to enhance the oral bioavailability of poorly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). However, a limited selection of regulatory-approved polymer excipients exists for the development and further understanding of tailor-made ASDs. Thus, a significant need exists to better understand how polymers can be designed to interact with specific API moieties. Here, we demonstrate how an automated combinatorial library approach can be applied to the synthesis and screening of polymer excipients for the model drug probucol. We synthesized a library of 25 random heteropolymers containing one hydrophilic monomer (2-hydroxypropyl acrylate (HPA)) and four hydrophobic monomers at varied incorporation. The performance of ASDs made by a rapid film casting method was evaluated by dissolution using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) sampling at various time points. This combinatorial library and rapid screening strategy enabled us to identify a relationship between polymer hydrophobicity, monomer hydrophobic side group geometry, and API dissolution performance. Remarkably, the most effective synthesized polymers displayed slower drug release kinetics compared to industry standard polymer excipients, showing the ability to modulate the drug release profile. Future coupling of high throughput polymer synthesis, high throughput screening (HTS), and quantitative modeling would enable specification of designer polymer excipients for specific API functionalities.

Enzyme mimics based membrane reactor for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate degradation

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), the most abundantly used plasticizer, was considered to be a hazardous chemical that was difficult to be degraded naturally. In this study, inspired by the "catalytic triad'' in serine proteases, an enzyme mimic material was developed by combining the proteases's active sites of serine, histidine and aspartate (S-H-D) with the self-assembling sequence of LKLKLKL and the aromatic group of fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc). By mixing the monomer of peptides containing separate S, H and D residues with a ratio of 2:1:1, the enzyme mimics were found to co- assemble into nanofibers (Co-HSD) and showed the highest activity towards DEHP degradation because of the synergistic effects of active sites, orderly secondary structure and stable molecular conformation. To further improve ability and applicability, the high active mimetic enzyme was immobilized onto regenerated cellulose (RC) membranes for DEHP degradation in a continuous recycling mode. The RC membranes were first functionalized by the NaIO₄ oxidation method to form aldehyde groups and then conjugated with the enzyme mimics via Schiff-base reaction. As a biocatalytic membrane, this membrane could not only effectively degrade DEHP, but also showed good stability, thus establishing a promising biomaterial for large scale biodegradation of DEHP in water decontamination and liquid food depollution.

Recent advances on micellar catalysis in water

Water is the universal solvent in nature to catalyze the biological transformation processes. However, owing to the immiscibility of many reagents in water, synthesis chemistry relies heavily on organic solvent. Micellar media is a green alternative to traditional petroleum feedstock derived solvents, which is recently attracting increasing research attention. The present review deals with the recent advances in micellar catalysis with an emphasis on the new "tailor-made" surfactants for various reactions. A brief overview of commercial surfactants, including anionic micelles, cationic micelles, and nonionic micelles is presented. More importantly, an attempt was made to discuss systematically the recent research progress on new surfactants by introducing structures, micellar effects and recycling process, aiming to serve as the basis for future development of surfactants.

100th Anniversary of Macromolecular Science Viewpoint: Re-examining Single-Chain Nanoparticles

Single-chain nanoparticles (SCNP) are a class of polymeric nanoparticles obtained from the intramolecular cross-linking of polymers bearing reactive pendant groups. The development of SCNP has drawn tremendous attention since the fabrication of SCNP mimics the self-folding behavior in natural biomacromolecules and is highly desirable for a variety of applications ranging from catalysis, nanomedicine, nanoreactors, and sensors. The versatility of novel chemistries available for SCNP synthesis has greatly expanded over the past decade. Significant progress was also made in the understanding of a structure-property relationship in the single-chain folding process. In this Viewpoint, we discuss the effect of precursor polymer topology on single polymer folding. We summarize the progress in SCNP of complex architectures and highlight unresolved issues in the field, such as scalability and topological purity of SCNP.

Heterobimetallic Eu(iii)/Pt(ii) single-chain nanoparticles: a path to enlighten catalytic reactions

We introduce the formation and characterization of heterometallic single-chain nanoparticles entailing both catalytic and luminescent properties. A terpolymer containing two divergent ligand moieties, phosphines and phosphine oxides, is synthesized and intramolecularly folded into nanoparticles via a selective metal complexation of Pt(ii) and Eu(iii). The formation of heterometallic Eu(iii)/Pt(ii) nanoparticles is evidenced by size exclusion chromatography, multinuclear NMR (1H, 31P{1H}, 19F, 195Pt) as well as diffusion-ordered NMR and IR spectroscopy. Critically, we demonstrate the activity of the SCNPs as a homogeneous and luminescent catalytic system in the amination reaction of allyl alcohol.

A Bioorthogonal Small Molecule Selective Polymeric "Clickase"

Synthetic polymer scaffolds may serve as gatekeepers preventing the adhesion of biomacromolecules. Herein, we use gating to develop a copper-containing single-chain nanoparticle (SCNP) catalyst as an artificial "clickase" that operates selectively on small molecules that are able to penetrate the polymeric shell. Whereas the analogous clickase with surface ammonium groups performs highly efficient copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) reactions on both alkynylated proteins and small molecule substrates, the new SCNP clickase with polyethylene glycol (PEG) groups is only active on small molecules. Further, the new SCNP resists uptake by cells allowing extracellular click chemistry to be performed. We describe two proof of principle applications that illustrate the utility of the bioorthogonal activity. First, the SCNP catalyst is able to screen for ligands that bind proteins, including proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC)-like molecules. Second, the nonmembrane permeable SCNP can efficiently catalyze the click reaction extracellularly, thereby enabling in situ anticancer drug synthesis and screening without the catalyst perturbing intracellular functions.

Intramolecularly Cross-Linked Polymers: From Structure to Function with Applications as Artificial Antibodies and Artificial Enzymes

Cross-linking of polymers significantly alters their physical properties, greatly expanding their everyday utility. Indeed, the polymeric networks resulting from linkages between polymer chains are found in everyday materials from soft contact lenses and automobile tires to enamel coatings and high-performance adhesives. In contrast, intramolecularly cross-linked polymers have received far less attention until recent years, in large part because they are synthetically more challenging to prepare. In this Account, we trace our own efforts to develop the chemistry of intramolecularly cross-linked macromolecules, starting with dendrimers. Dendrimers provided an excellent starting point for investigating intramolecular cross-linking because they are single molecular entities. We showed that the end groups of dendrimers can be extensively cross-linked using the ring-closing metathesis reaction and that the discrete structure of the dendrimer provides unique opportunities for characterizing the number and location of the cross-links as well as some physical properties of the macromolecule such as its size and rigidity. Increasing the number of ring-closing metathesis reactions correlated with a reduction in size and an increase in rigidity. The general strategy applied to dendrimers was extended to star polymers and hyperbranched polyglycerols. Each of these macromolecules has a core or an initiating group from which the branches emanate. Linking the end groups or branches of these polymers presents a unique opportunity to chemically remove the core of the cross-linked macromolecule in a process that is reminiscent of that used to produce covalent molecular imprinted polymers. Recognizing this analogy, we sought a compelling application for cross-linked dendrimers, the first example of unimolecular imprinting, where a single polymer contains a single molecular imprint. The quality of the imprinting was mixed but pointed to an alternative general strategy for molecular imprinting in polymers. The effort also focused attention on synthetic antibodies and the general biomimicry provided by this class of macromolecules. Indeed, cross-linking of polymers either covalently or non-covalently bears a loose resemblance to folding of proteins into defined three-dimensional shapes. The synthesis and study of cross-linked linear polymers, often called single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs), has emerged as a very active area of research in the past few years. Our experience with the cross-linking of branched polymers combined with an interest in performing organic synthesis within living cells led us to develop copper-containing SCNPs as artificial clickases. These polymeric clickases exhibit all of the hallmarks of enzymatic catalysis. One clickase containing a polyacrylamide backbone performs low-concentration copper-assisted alkyne-azide click reactions at unprecedented rates. Another performs click reactions within living cells. Other organic transformations can be performed intracellularly, and some of the most advanced SCNPs engage in concurrent and tandem catalysis with a naturally occurring biocatalyst. By tracing our own efforts, this Account provides a few entry points into the broader literature and also points to both the remaining challenges and overall promising future envisioned for this unique class of functional macromolecules.

Single-Chain Nanoparticle Delivers a Partner Enzyme for Concurrent and Tandem Catalysis in Cells

Combining synthetic chemistry and biocatalysis is a promising but underexplored approach to intracellular catalysis. We report a strategy to codeliver a single-chain nanoparticle (SCNP) catalyst and an exogenous enzyme into cells for performing bioorthogonal reactions. The nanoparticle and enzyme reside in endosomes, creating engineered artificial organelles that manufacture organic compounds intracellularly. This system operates in both concurrent and tandem reaction modes to generate fluorophores or bioactive agents. The combination of SCNP and enzymatic catalysts provides a versatile tool for intracellular organic synthesis with applications in chemical biology.

Sequence-defined l-glutamamide oligomers with pendant supramolecular motifs via iterative synthesis and orthogonal post-functionalization

One of the great challenges in polymer chemistry is to achieve discrete and sequence-defined synthetic polymers that fold in defined conformations and form well-defined three-dimensional structured particles.

Enzyme mimics based on self-assembled peptides for di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate degradation

Enzyme mimics inspired by serine proteases are developed through self-assembled peptides to degrade di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP).

Pentafluorophenyl-based single-chain polymer nanoparticles as a versatile platform towards protein mimicry

Pentafluorophenyl-single chain polymer nanoparticles are readily conjugated with functional amines enabling facile SCNP modification, adjustment of physicochemical properties, and even protein mimicry.

Affinity purification of multifunctional oligomeric ligands synthesizedviacontrolled radical polymerization

Abiotic oligomeric ligands with a strong affinity for a target peptide sequence were isolated by affinity purification from a pool of 30-mer acrylic random ter-oligomers that were synthesizedviaa controlled radical polymerization process.

A bicyclic unit reversal to stabilize the 12/14-helix in mixed homochiral oligoureas

Incorporation of highly constrained building blocks into oligoureas: a simple bicycle reversal leads to tunable 12/14-helices formation.

PET-RAFT and SAXS: High Throughput Tools to Study Compactness and Flexibility of Single-Chain Polymer Nanoparticles

From protein science, it is well understood that ordered folding and 3D structure mainly arises from balanced and noncovalent polar and nonpolar interactions, such as hydrogen bonding. Similarly, it is understood that single-chain polymer nanoparticles (SCNPs) will also compact and become more rigid with greater hydrophobicity and intrachain hydrogen bonding. Here, we couple high throughput photoinduced electron/energy transfer reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (PET-RAFT) polymerization with high throughput small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to characterize a large combinatorial library (>450) of several homopolymers, random heteropolymers, block copolymers, PEG-conjugated polymers, and other polymer-functionalized polymers. Coupling these two high throughput tools enables us to study the major influence(s) for compactness and flexibility in higher breadth than ever before possible. Not surprisingly, we found that many were either highly disordered in solution, in the case of a highly hydrophilic polymer, or insoluble if too hydrophobic. Remarkably, we also found a small group (9/457) of PEG-functionalized random heteropolymers and block copolymers that exhibited compactness and flexibility similar to that of bovine serum albumin (BSA) by dynamic light scattering (DLS), NMR, and SAXS. In general, we found that describing a rough association between compactness and flexibility parameters (R g /R h and Porod Exponent, respectively) with logP, a quantity that describes hydrophobicity, helps to demonstrate and predict material parameters that lead to SCNPs with greater compactness, rigidity, and stability. Future implementation of this combinatorial and high throughput approach for characterizing SCNPs will allow for the creation of detailed design parameters for well-defined macromolecular chemistry.

Switchable and Obedient Interfacial Properties That Grant New Biomedical Applications

Toward imitating the natural smartness and responsivity of biological systems, surface interfacial properties are considered to be responsive and tunable if they show a reactive behavior to an environmental stimulus. This is still quite different from many contemporary biomaterials that lack responsiveness to interact with blood and different body tissues in a physiological manner. Meanwhile it is possible to even go one step further from responsiveness to dual-mode switchability and explore "switchable" or "reversible" responses of synthetic materials. We understand "switchable biomaterials" as materials undergoing a stepwise, structural transformation coupled with considerable changes of interfacial and other surface properties as a response to a stimulus. Therewith, a survey on stimuli-induced dynamic changes of charge, wettability, stiffness, topography, porosity, and thickness/swelling is presented here, as potentially powerful new technologies especially for future biomaterial development. Since living cells constantly sense their environment through a variety of surface receptors and other mechanisms, these obedient interfacial properties were particularly discussed regarding their advantageous multifunctionality for protein adsorption and cell adhesion signaling, which may alter in time and with environmental conditions.

Polymeric "Clickase" Accelerates the Copper Click Reaction of Small Molecules, Proteins, and Cells

Recent work has shown that polymeric catalysts can mimic some of the remarkable features of metalloenzymes by binding substrates in proximity to a bound metal center. We report here an unexpected role for the polymer: multivalent, reversible, and adaptive binding to protein surfaces allowing for accelerated catalytic modification of proteins. The catalysts studied are a group of copper-containing single-chain polymeric nanoparticles (Cu^I-SCNP) that exhibit enzyme-like catalysis of the copper-mediated azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction. The Cu^I-SCNP use a previously observed "uptake mode", binding small-molecule alkynes and azides inside a water-soluble amphiphilic polymer and proximal to copper catalytic sites, but with unprecedented rates. Remarkably, a combined experimental and computational study shows that the same Cu^I-SCNP perform a more efficient click reaction on modified protein surfaces and cell surface glycans than do small-molecule catalysts. The catalysis occurs through an "attach mode" where the SCNPs reversibly bind protein surfaces through multiple hydrophobic and electrostatic contacts. The results more broadly point to a wider capability for polymeric catalysts as artificial metalloenzymes, especially as it relates to bioapplications.

Sequence-Controlled Polymers Through Entropy-Driven Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization: Theory, Molecular Weight Control, and Monomer Design

The bulk properties of a copolymer are directly affected by monomer sequence, yet efficient, scalable, and controllable syntheses of sequenced copolymers remain a defining challenge in polymer science. We have previously demonstrated, using polymers prepared by a step-growth synthesis, that hydrolytic degradation of poly(lactic- co-glycolic acid)s is dramatically affected by sequence. While much was learned, the step-growth mechanism gave no molecular weight control, unpredictable yields, and meager scalability. Herein, we describe the synthesis of closely related sequenced polyesters prepared by entropy-driven ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ED-ROMP) of strainless macromonomers with imbedded monomer sequences of lactic, glycolic, 6-hydroxy hexanoic, and syringic acids. The incorporation of ethylene glycol and metathesis linkers facilitated synthesis and provided the olefin functionality needed for ED-ROMP. Ring-closing to prepare the cyclic macromonomers was demonstrated using both ring-closing metathesis and macrolactonization reactions. Polymerization produced macromolecules with controlled molecular weights on a multigram scale. To further enhance molecular weight control, the macromonomers were prepared with cis-olefins in the metathesis-active segment. Under these selectivity-enhanced (SEED-ROMP) conditions, first-order kinetics and narrow dispersities were observed and the effect of catalyst initiation rate on the polymerization was investigated. Enhanced living character was further demonstrated through the preparation of block copolymers. Computational analysis suggested that the enhanced polymerization kinetics were due to the cis-macrocyclic olefin being less flexible and having a larger population of metathesis-reactive conformers. Although used for polyesters in this investigation, SEED-ROMP represents a general method for incorporation of sequenced segments into molecular weight-controlled polymers.

M24+ paddlewheel clusters as junction points in single-chain nanoparticles

A straightforward approach to incorporate copper and molybdenum dimetallic clusters into well-defined single-chain nanoparticles, featuring unique paddlewheel structures as junction points, is introduced.

Self-reporting visible light-induced polymer chain collapse

We introduce a facile photoinduced self-reporting crosslinking methodology for the compaction of polymer chains in highly diluted solution.

Consequences of isolated critical monomer sequence errors for the hydrolysis behaviors of sequenced degradable polyesters

Despite the known sensitivity to sequence mutations of biological polymers, little is known about the effects of errors in sequenced synthetic copolymers.

Property impact of common linker segments in sequence-controlled polyesters

Linker segments in sequence controlled polyester backbones significantly affect thermal, mechanical and degradation properties.

Phenanthroline-A Versatile Ligand for Advanced Functional Polymeric Materials

The controlled incorporation of phenanthroline moieties into polymers is introduced, demonstrating their application as metal-ion complexing ligands for the construction of advanced macromolecular structures. Specifically, two phenanthroline-containing monomers based on acrylate and styrene functionalities, were synthesized. Each monomer was readily copolymerized with either N,N-dimethylacrylamide or styrene via nitroxide-mediated polymerization, resulting in narrowly distributed polar or non-polar copolymers. To demonstrate the versatility of the established polymer systems, the polar polymer was employed for transition metal induced single-chain nanoparticle formation, verified by diffusion-ordered NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Furthermore, the non-polar polymer allows facile incorporation of lanthanide ions, creating luminescent metallo-polymers, in-depth characterized by advanced photophysical experiments and 2D NMR measurements.

Repurposing Biocatalysts to Control Radical Polymerizations

Reversible-deactivation radical polymerizations (controlled radical polymerizations) have revolutionized and revitalized the field of polymer synthesis. While enzymes and other biologically derived catalysts have long been known to initiate free radical polymerizations, the ability of peroxidases, hemoglobin, laccases, enzyme-mimetics, chlorophylls, heme, red blood cells, bacteria, and other biocatalysts to control or initiate reversible-deactivation radical polymerizations has only been described recently. Here, the scope of biocatalytic atom transfer radical polymerizations (bioATRP), enzyme-initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer radical polymerizations (bioRAFT), biocatalytic organometallic-mediated radical polymerizations (bioOMRP), and biocatalytic reversible complexation mediated polymerizations (bioRCMP) is critically reviewed, and the potential of these reactions for the environmentally friendly synthesis of precision polymers, for the preparation of functional nanostructures, for the modification of surfaces, and for biosensing is discussed.

Single-chain polymer nanoparticles in controlled drug delivery and targeted imaging

As a relatively new class of materials, single-chain polymer nanoparticles (SCNPs) just entered the field of (biomedical) applications, with recent advances in polymer science enabling the formation of bio-inspired nanosized architectures. Exclusive intramolecular collapse of individual polymer chains results in individual nanoparticles. With sizes an order of magnitude smaller than conventional polymer nanoparticles, SCNPs are in the size regime of many proteins and viruses (1-20 nm). Multifaceted syntheses and design strategies give access to a wide set of highly modular SCNP materials. This review describes how SCNPs have been rendered water-soluble and highlights ongoing research efforts towards biocompatible SCNPs with tunable properties for controlled drug delivery, targeted imaging and protein mimicry.

Cis-Selective Metathesis to Enhance the Living Character of Ring-Opening Polymerization: An Approach to Sequenced Copolymers

The hydrolytic behavior and physical properties of a polymer are directly related to its constituent monomer sequence, yet the scalable and controllable synthesis of sequenced copolymers remains scarcely realized. To address this need, an enhanced version of entropy-driven ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ED-ROMP) has been developed. An unprecedented level of control is obtained by exploiting the kinetic and thermodynamic differences in the metathesis activity of cis- and trans-olefins embedded in large, unstrained macrocycles. First-order rate kinetics were observed, and polymer molecular weights were found to be proportional to catalyst loading. Computational analysis suggests that incorporation of a cis-olefin into the monomer backbone both introduces a thermodynamic driving force and increases the population of metathesis-active conformers. This approach offers a generally applicable method for enhancing living character in ED-ROMP.

Compartmentalization and Unidirectional Cross-Domain Molecule Shuttling of Organometallic Single-Chain Nanoparticles

Compartmentalization and unidirectional cross-domain molecule shuttling are omnipresent in proteins, and play key roles in molecular recognition, enzymatic reaction, and other living functions. Nanomachinery design emulating these biological functions is being considered as one of the most ambitious and challenging tasks in modern chemistry and nanoscience. Here, we present a biomimetic nanomachinery design using single-chain technology. Stepwise complex of the outer blocks of water-soluble linear ABC triblock terpolymer to copper ions yields dumbbell-shaped single-chain nanoparticle. A novel nanomachine capable of compartmentalization and unidirectional cross-domain molecule shuttling has been achieved upon ascorbic acid reduction, leading to synergistically donating/accepting copper centers between discrete double heads, overall dumbbell-to-tadpole configurational transition, and intake of oxidized ascorbic acid into reconstructed head. Subsequent air oxidation results in the inverse molecule shuttling and configurational transition processes. This is the first demonstration of biomimetic nanomachinery design that is capable of compartmentalization and unidirectional cross-domain molecule shuttling, exemplified simply using a new single-chain technology.

Secondary structures of synthetic polypeptide polymers

Synthetic peptide-based polymers can fold into different secondary structures in the same way as do proteins. This review article presents how tuning the polypeptide secondary structure could be a key step to modulate various properties in advanced polymeric materials (size, rigidity, self-assembly,etc.).

Monomer sequence in PLGA microparticles: Effects on acidic microclimates and in vivo inflammatory response

Controlling the backbone architecture of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)s (PLGAs) is demonstrated to have a strong influence on the production and release of acidic degradation by-products in microparticle matrices. Previous efforts for controlling the internal and external accumulation of acidity for PLGA microparticles have focused on the addition of excipients including neutralization and anti-inflammatory agents. In this report, we utilize a sequence-control strategy to tailor the microstructure of PLGA. The internal acidic microclimate distributions within sequence-defined and random PLGA microparticles were monitored in vitro using a non-invasive ratiometric two-photon microscopy (TPM) methodology. Sequence-defined PLGAs were found to have minimal changes in pH distribution and lower amounts of percolating acidic by-products. A parallel scanning electron microscopy study further linked external morphological events to internal degradation-induced structural changes. The properties of the sequenced and random copolymers characterized in vitro translated to differences in in vivo behavior. The sequence alternating copolymer, poly LG, had lower granulomatous foreign-body reactions compared to random racemic PLGA with a 50:50 ratio of lactic to glycolic acid.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

This paper demonstrates that changing the monomer sequence in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)s (PLGAs) leads to dramatic differences in the rate of degradation and the internal acidic microclimate of microparticles degrading in vitro. We note that the acidic microclimates within these particles were imaged for the first time with two-photon microscopy, which gives an extremely clear and detailed picture of the degradation process. Importantly, we also document that the observed sequence-controlled in vitro processes translate into differences in the in vivo behavior of polymers which have the same L to G composition but differing microstructures. These data, placed in the context of our prior studies on swelling, erosion, and MW loss (Biomaterials2017, 117, 66 and other references cited within the manuscript), provide significant insight not only about sequence effects in PLGAs but into the underlying mechanisms of PLGA degradation in general.