Polypeptoids, a class of peptidomimetic polymers featuring N-substituted polyglycine backbones, exhibit tunable physiochemeo properties (e.g., solubility, crystallinity and conformation) that are strongly dependent on the side chain structures. Amphiphilic AB or ABC block copolypeptoids [i.e., poly(N-decyl glycine)-b-poly(N-methy glycine) (PNDG-PNMG) and poly(N-decyl glycine)-b-poly(N-methy glycine)-b-poly(N-allyl glycine) (PNDG-PNMG-PNAlG)] with controlled composition have been synthesized by organo-mediated ring-opening polymerization of N-substituted N-carboxyanhydride monomers. The PNDG100-PNMG10 polymer was shown to self-assembled into cylindrical micelles in dilute alcohol solution and a fibrillar network at elevated concentration at room temperature. While both the cyclic and linear PNDG100-PNMG10 polypeptoids form thermo-reversible gels, their gelation conditions (i.e., concentration, temperature and gelation time), mechanical properties and hydration environment around the polymers are architecture-dependent. In comparison, the PNDG100-PNMG10 -PNAlG10 sample undergoes a sol-to-gel transition with increasing temperature in water. The gelation was reversible and rapid, which was attributed to the LCST induced formation of a micellar network. The polymer gel is injectable and exhibits minimal cytotoxicy towards human-derived adipose stem cells, which makes it potentially useful for tissue engineering application.

Synthesis and characterization of thermoreversible polypeptoid gels

248th National Meeting (2014)

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