Structure-property studies on carbohydrate-derived polymers for use as protein-resistant biomaterials

Here we describe structure-property studies on our carbohydrate-derived side-chain ether polymers as protein-resistant biomaterials. A series of side-chain ether polymers, including two polyesters and two polyamides, were prepared by condensation polymerization of monomers derived from simple carbohydrates. The two side-chain permethoxylated polyesters having different stereochemical repeating units demonstrate excellent resistance toward nonspecific protein adsorption as shown by surface plasmon resonance, indicating that the polymer stereochemistry does not have much effect on its protein-resistant properties. The introduction of amide bonds to polymer backbones leads to more pronounced effects. While the polymer degradation stability is significantly enhanced by replacing ester with amide linkages, the protein resistance for the polymer is greatly reduced by introduction of amide bonds. Finally, our results suggest that free hydroxyl and amide groups, while both are hydrogen-bond donors, seem to have different effects on protein resistant properties for polymers. It appears that free amide groups have more detrimental effect on protein resistance than free hydroxyl groups. These results show that the protein-resistant properties of this family of polymers can be tailored by modifying the backbone and side chain functionalities. In combination with the biodegradability and functionalizability, this family of carbohydrate-derived polymers shows promise as versatile biomaterials for biomedical applications.