Peptide-polymer conjugates: from fundamental science to application

Peptide/protein-polymer conjugates make up a new class of soft matter comprising natural and synthetic building blocks. They have the potential to combine the advantages of proteins and synthetic polymers (i.e., the precise chemical structure and diverse functionalities of biomolecules and the stability and processability of synthetic polymers) to generate hybrid materials with properties yet to be realized with either component alone. Here we briefly discuss recent developments in the design, fundamental understanding, and self-assembly of various peptide-polymer conjugates, as well as emerging biological and nonbiological applications that range from nanomedicine, to separation, and beyond.