Poly(lactic acid) is an FDA approved, biocompatible polymer that undergoes controlled degradation under biological conditions with the formation of non-toxic products. These properties make it very attractive in the fields of biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences. However, the lack of reactive functional groups prevent further modification of the polymer, thereby reducing its potential utility. To overcome this limitation, we have synthesized a random copolymer of PLA bearing bromine substituents (Br-PL). Br-PL serves as a macroinitiator for ATRP polymersization with a variety of methacrylates such as methyl methacrylate (MMA), oligoethylenegylcol methacrylate (OEGMA) and 2-(<i>N</i>,<i>N</i>-diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DEAMA) to afford a variety of brush copolymers. Amphiphilic brush copolymers have attracted considerable attention in the field of drug delivery due to their ability to self-assemble into polymeric particles in aqueous solutions. We will explore the antimicrobial properties of these polymers as well as their ability to form particles under aqueous conditions.

Synthesis and characterization of amphiphilic brush copolymers for applications in drug delivery and as antimicrobial agents

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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