Robust, multi-responsive and multifunctional nanovesicles are in high demand not only as cutting edge drug delivery systems and in synthetic biology, but also for application in microsystem devices and in nanotechnology. Here, responsive nanoparticles based on photocrosslinked polymersomes will be introduced. While pH sensitive polymersomes usually disassemble upon acidification, ours show a definite swelling, since the cross-linked membrane remains intact and allow pH-dependent diffusion of small molecules through the membrane. By coassembly of specifically end-functionalized block copolymers and making use of efficient post-functionalization by e.g. click chemistry, heterofunctionalization of the polymersomes on their surface is possible. Thus targeting groups could be introduced into the polymersome membrane which allows using our pH-responsive polymersomes for specific cell targeting and pH induced drug release. Furthermore, multifunctional, pH-responsive and photo-crosslinked polymersomes decorated with adamantane and azide groups have been prepared and were used for the subsequent post-modification of the polymersome surface by using covalent and non-covalent approaches. Thus nitroveratryloxycarbonyl protected amine (NVOC) molecules as photoactive moieties have been introduced through azide-alkyne click reaction to provide light controllable surface functionalization with amines. The non-covalent approach was carried out subsequently to introduce further moieties making use of the strong adamantane-cyclodextrin host-guest interaction processes. Overall, the tunable membrane permeability combined with the potential for introducing light-induced as well as specific non-covalent conjugation sites make these smart polymersomes promising nanocontainers for many applications.

Multifunctional and responsive polymersomes through CRP and efficient postfunctionalization

254th National Meeting (2017)

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