“Bio”‐Macromolecules: Polymer‐Protein Conjugates as Emerging Scaffolds for Therapeutics

Abstract

Polymer-protein conjugates are biohybrid macromolecules derived from covalently connecting synthetic polymers with polypeptides. The resulting materials combine the properties of both worlds: chemists can engineer polymers to stabilize proteins, to add functionality, or to enhance activity; whereas biochemists can exploit the specificity and complexity that Nature has bestowed upon its macromolecules. This has led to a wealth of applications, particularly within the realm of biomedicine. Polymer-protein conjugation has expanded to include scaffolds for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and microbial inhibitors. This feature article reflects upon recent developments in the field and discusses the applications of these hybrids from a biomaterials standpoint.

Self-Assembly of Temperature-Responsive Protein–Polymer Bioconjugates

“… 32 , 48 − 51 These synthetic approaches to decorating proteins have been extensively presented in numerous noteworthy reviews. 6 , 7 , 52 − 63 A recurring limitation in a large number of the reports in the literature is that covalent coupling leads to a heterogeneous mixture of products with varying conjugation degrees. This has been found to be related to the polymer molecular weight, 64 polymer docking location onto the protein, and also heterogeneities in the protein which affect the availability of the modification sites, 65 thus highlighting the need for complete control over the conjugation site.…”

Methods of protein surface PEGylation under structure preservation for the emulsion-based formation of stable nanoparticles

“…1,2 The chemical modification of proteins with other natural and synthetic macromolecules is well studied and has emerged as a valuable tool for the development of tailormade materials and advanced therapeutics. [3][4][5][6] Applications range from enhanced pharmacokinetic properties to new materials for tissue engineering and dynamic drug delivery systems. Protein-polymer biohybrids can help to increase the protein stability, alter the immune response, change the reactivity of enzymes or increase the blood circulation half-life, to name only a few examples.…”

Humboldt‐ und Bessel‐Forschungspreise

“…Im Zentrum seiner Forschung stehen die Polymerchemie und die Materialwissenschaften, im Besonderen supramolekulare Polymere. Er hat in Chemistry—A European Journal über die Dendrimerfunktionalisierung geschrieben5a und kürzlich in einem Feature Article in Macromolecular Rapid Communications Polymer‐Protein‐Konjugate diskutiert 5b. Weck gehört den International Advisory Boards von Macromolecular Rapid Communications und Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics an…”