Synthetic linear glycopolymers and their biological applications

As typical affinities of carbohydrates with their receptors are modest, polymers of carbohydrates (glycopolymers) are exciting tools to probe the multifaceted biological activities of glycans. In this review, the linear glycopolymers and the multivalency effects are first introduced. This is followed by discussions of methods to synthesize these polymers. Subsequently, the interactions of glycopolymers with plant lectins and viral/bacterial carbohydrate binding proteins are discussed. In addition, applications of the glycopolymers in facilitating glycan microarray studies, mimicking cell surface glycans, modulation of the immune system, cryoprotection of protein, and electron-beam lithography are presented to stimulate further development of this fascinating technology.

Recent advances in separation applications of polymerized high internal phase emulsions

Polymerized high internal phase emulsions as highly porous adsorption materials have received increasing attention and wide applications in separation science in recent years due to their remarkable merits such as highly interconnected porosity, high permeability, good thermal and chemical stability, and tailorable chemistry. In this review, we attempt to introduce some strategies to utilize polymerized high internal phase emulsions for separation science, and highlight the recent advances made in the applications of polymerized high internal phase emulsions for diverse separation of small organic molecules, carbon dioxide, metal ions, proteins, and other interesting targets. Potential challenges and future perspectives for polymerized high internal phase emulsion research in the field of separation science are also speculated at the end of this review.

Glycopolymer Brushes by Reversible Deactivation Radical Polymerization: Preparation, Applications, and Future Challenges

The cellular surface contains specific proteins, also known as lectins, that are carbohydrates receptors involved in different biological events, such as cell-cell adhesion, cell recognition and cell differentiation. The synthesis of well-defined polymers containing carbohydrate units, known as glycopolymers, by reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) methods allows the development of tailor-made materials with high affinity for lectins because of their multivalent interaction. These polymers are promising candidates for the biomedical field, namely as novel diagnostic disease markers, biosensors, or carriers for tumor-targeted therapy. Although linear glycopolymers are extensively studied for lectin recognition, branched glycopolymeric structures, such as polymer brushes can establish stronger interactions with lectins. This specific glycopolymer topology can be synthesized in a bottlebrush form or grafted to/from surfaces by using RDRP methods, allowing a precise control over molecular weight, grafting density, and brush thickness. Here, the preparation and application of glycopolymer brushes is critically discussed and future research directions on this topic are suggested.

G, Thomas JP. Boron selective thin film composite nanofiltration membrane fabricated via a self-assembled trimesic acid layer at a liquid–liquid interface on an ultrafiltration support

A negatively charged nanofiltration membrane was prepared with a high selectivity for the rejection of both multivalent and monovalent ions during seawater pre-treatment.