Supramolecular nanoassemblies that reduce non-specific interactions with proteins are of great importance for various biological applications. Recently, zwitterionic molecules are shown to reduce non-specific interactions with proteins because of their charge neutrality and strong hydration layer formation around zwitterions via electrostatic interactions. Design of amphiphilic macromolecules with zwitterions as hydrophilic functionalities results in a novel class of molecules, which are under explored. To address this, we have developed a new class of amphiphilic dendrimers with triazole based zwitterionic moieties as the hydrophilic functionalities and decyl groups as the lipophilic functional groups, which upon self-assembly expose zwitterionic groups to outer hydrophilic layer while tucking in the lipophilic alkyl chains. We hypothesize that this strategic incorporation of zwitterionic moieties into amphiphilic dendrimers renders the formed supramolecular aggregates protein resistant. As hypothesized we observed that zwitterionic dendrimers form micelle type aggregates with container properties. We have also demonstrated that these dendrimer aggregates reduce non-specific interactions with proteins of varying pI using Fluorescence and DLS studies.

Zwitterionic macromolecules and their non-specific interaction reducing properties

245th National Meeting (2013)

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