FADH2-mediated radical polymerization amplification for microRNA-21 detection

For early diagnosis of disease, ultrasensitive mircoRNA-21 detection has considerable potential. In this paper, an ultra-sensitive fluorescence detection method for microRNA was developed by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). This ATRP reaction was first initiated by using flavin mononucleotide (FADH2). The DNA probe 1 modified with amino group was fixed on the magnetic nanoparticle Fe3O4, and microRNA-21 was added to form the probe 1-microRNA-21. Another carboxy-modified DNA 2 forms a sandwich structure with the bound microRNA-21. Two terminally modified DNA types are used as microRNA probes, using complementary base pairing to form a stable super-sandwich structure between the DNA probe and the microRNA. Under optimal conditions, microRNA was detected in PBS buffer with a detection limit of 0.19 fM. And even in 10% of human serum, microRNA-21 can be detected with a detection limit of 47.8 fM. Results show that this method has high selectivity, efficiency and stability, which broad application prospect in microRNA ultra-sensitive detection.

Antifouling, antibacterial and non-cytotoxic transparent cellulose membrane with grafted zwitterion and quaternary ammonium copolymers

Copolymer brushes with different ratios of sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) and [2-(Acryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride (DAC) were grafted from transparent cellulose membrane (CM) via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) method for improving its antifouling and antibacterial performance. Surface concentrated copolymer grafting on the cellulose membranes can be obtained without significantly sacrificing the transparency and mechanical properties. The zwitterionic PSBMA chains of the copolymers can lead to an extremely hydrophilic surface with significantly reduced non-specific protein adsorption and bacterial attachment, therefore, leading to satisfying antifouling and antibacterial property. While the PDAC chains of the copolymers improved antibacterial performance against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria due to the presence of quaternary ammonium groups, the PDAC modified CM (CM-1) possessed best antibacterial performance, reaching to 95.1 % against S. aureus and 90.5 % against E. coli, respectively. More importantly, the biocompatibility of all grafted CM was retained, leading to over 100 % cell viability.

Enhancing antifouling property of PVA membrane by grafting zwitterionic polymer via SI-ATRP method

Poly(zwitterions) polymer brushes were fabricated by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) on PVA substrate. The results of XPS and FTIR proved the successful graft of CBMA and SBMA to PVA. The surface of the PVA films would be rougher after the functionalization. Its hydrophilicity increased dramatically and the water contact angle decreased from 45.2° to 7.2°. The visible light transmittance was above 88%. Mechanical properties decreased slightly after grafting, the tensile strength and tensile strain at break were in 1.23-1.85 MPa and 361.7-471.1%, respectively. The anti-protein adsorption performance of the modified PVA film was significantly enhanced and the lowest adsorption amount was up to 2.25 μg/cm². The cytotoxicity grade of modified PVA film was 0-1, which indicated the modified film possessed no cytotoxicity. Additionally, the surface of zwitterion-grafted PVA film had strongly resistance to cell adhesion. All the results confirmed that the zwitterions modified PVA was a promising anti-fouling material for the further biomedical use.

Synthesis of Cross-Linked 2-Aminoethyl Methacrylate in P22 Viral Capsid via Atom-Transfer Radical Polymerization

Virus-like particles (VLPs) resemble viruses, but are devoid their genetic material, rendering them as noninfectious, hollow protein shells. VLPs are ideal templates to synthesize nanoparticles because they have homogeneous size and their empty cavity can provide a confined environment for selectively directed synthesis. Atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is well suited for directed synthesis of polymers inside VLPs. In addition to being rapid, monomer-promiscuous, and resulting in products with relatively low polydispersity, the simplicity of the ATRP initiator allows it to be readily modified for amending to biomolecules. This chapter describes the polymerization of 2-aminoethyl methacrylate (AEMA) via ATRP in a viral capsid derived from the bacteriophage P22.

A novel approach for UV-patterning with binary polymer brushes

A mixed self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of an initiator (3-(2-bromo-2-isobutyryloxy)propyl triethoxysilane) for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and an agent (6-(triethoxysilyl)hexyl 2-(((methylthio)carbonothioyl)thio)-2-phenylacetate) for reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization was constructed on the surface of a silicon wafer or glass plate by a silane coupling reaction. When a UV light at 254nm was irradiated at the mixed SAM through a photomask, the surface density of the bromine atom at the end of BPE in the irradiated region was drastically reduced by UV-driven scission of the BrC bond, as observed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Consequently, the surface-initiated (SI)-ATRP of 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (EHMA) was used to easily construct the poly(EHMA) (PEHMA) brush domain. Subsequently, SI-RAFT polymerization of a zwitterionic vinyl monomer, carboxymethyl betaine (CMB), was performed. Using the sequential polymerization, the PCMB and PEHMA brush domains on the solid substrate could be very easily patterned. Patterning proteins and cells with the binary polymer brush is expected because the PCMB brush indicated strong suppression of protein adsorption and cell adhesion, and the PEHMA brush had non-polar properties. This technique is very simple and useful for regulating the shape and size of bio-fouling and anti-biofouling domains on solid surfaces.

Synthesis and characterization of Eu(III) complexes of modified d-glucosamine and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)

A series of chain-end functional polymers composed of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and 2-amino-2-deoxy-d-glucopyranose(d-glucosamine, GA) was synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Novel fluorescent complexes of glucosamine-PNI- PAM/Eu(III) were then formed by chelation of the polymers and europium(III) ions. The aqueous solutions of the polymers and its Eu(III) complexes exhibited a lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs), and which were approximately equal to body temperature. Cell viability assays suggested that these thermosensitive polymers and Eu(III) complexes showed excellent biocompatibility in vitro.

Genetically targeted fluorogenic macromolecules for subcellular imaging and cellular perturbation

The alteration of cellular functions by anchoring macromolecules to specified organelles may reveal a new area of therapeutic potential and clinical treatment. In this work, a unique phenotype was evoked by influencing cellular behavior through the modification of subcellular structures with genetically targetable macromolecules. These fluorogen-functionalized polymers, prepared via controlled radical polymerization, were capable of exclusively decorating actin, cytoplasmic, or nuclear compartments of living cells expressing localized fluorgen-activating proteins. The macromolecular fluorogens were optimized by establishing critical polymer architecture-biophysical property relationships which impacted binding rates, binding affinities, and the level of internalization. Specific labeling of subcellular structures was realized at nanomolar concentrations of polymer, in the absence of membrane permeabilization or transduction domains, and fluorogen-modified polymers were found to bind to protein intact after delivery to the cytosol. Cellular motility was found to be dependent on binding of macromolecular fluorogens to actin structures causing rapid cellular ruffling without migration.