A series of functional polypeptide-based degradable polymeric nanomaterials (including organogels, hydrogels and nanoparticles) have been developed by using N-carboxyanhydride ring opening polymerizations (NCA-ROP) from both natural and synthetic amino acids. In order to prepare well-defined block copolypeptides on a large scale, the N2 flow accelerated NCA ROP via normal amine mechanism has been explored in detail. The easy operational N2 flow method eliminates the need to use a glove box, and offers a new approach for the synthesis of varieties of block copolypeptides with controllable polymerization rates, predictable molecular weights, and narrow molecular weight distributions. By using different functionalized NCA monomers, polypeptides with tunable pendant side chains could be obtained. The supramolecular interactions between certain polypeptide segments formed secondary structures, such as alpha helices and beta sheets, which could further self-assemble into well-defined fibrous structures and undergo gelation in both organic solvents and aqueous solutions. The functional polypeptide-based hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties can have potential use as wound healing materials and localized drug delivery matrices. Furthermore, several amphiphilic functional diblock copolypeptides with pendant alkyne groups could be synthesized and modified with therapeutic agents, and utilized as a potent platform for delivery of anticancer drugs.

Functional polypeptide-based nanomaterials: Synthesis, supramolecular assembly, and biomedical applications

247th National Meeting (2014)

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