Design and self-assembly of glycosylated block copolymers for glyco-nanoparticles formation in aqueous media
Carbohydrates are essential components of living systems, playing key roles in energy storage, structural support, and biological recognition. Inspired by these natural molecules, Mokun Chen investigates synthetic glycopolymers—materials that mimic the structure and function of polysaccharides while offering greater control over their properties. The research focuses on how these polymers can be designed and assembled into nanoscale structures with tunable shapes and functions.
Chen synthesized a series of well-defined glycosylated block copolymers using controlled polymerization techniques. These polymers were engineered to respond to environmental changes such as temperature and pH, allowing them to self-assemble into a variety of nanostructures in water. The study demonstrates that small changes in polymer design, including the sequence of building blocks and the length of specific segments, can significantly influence the size, shape, and stability of the resulting nanoparticles.
In addition, Chen used electrostatic interactions between oppositely charged polymers to create complex nanoparticles with dynamic properties, such as reversible size changes in response to temperature. A key finding of this work is that the balance between attractive forces and steric stabilization governs the formation and behavior of these nanostructures.
Overall, this research provides fundamental insights into how glycopolymer-based materials can be precisely designed and controlled. These findings are relevant for the development of advanced materials with potential applications in medicine, such as targeted drug delivery, as well as in broader areas of nanotechnology.