Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
06:26
Synthesis of Stimuli-responsive Nanogels using Aqueous One-step Crosslinking and Co-nanopolymerization
Published on: January 24, 2025
Stimuli responsive synthetic polypeptides derived from N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) polymerisation
1School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland.
Chemical Society Reviews
|May 2, 2013
Summary
Synthetic stimuli-responsive polypeptides, or "smart" polypeptides, offer versatile material designs by combining natural and synthetic elements. These advanced materials show promise in biomedicine and biotechnology due to their responsiveness to external stimuli.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Advances in NCA polymerization and orthogonal functionalization have expanded the range of available polypeptide building blocks.
- Synthetic stimuli-responsive polypeptides ('smart' polypeptides) with diverse functionalities have been extensively studied.
- These polypeptides integrate natural and synthetic components, offering unique properties for material design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent developments in synthetic strategies for stimuli-responsive homo- and block polypeptides.
- To highlight the diverse applications of these advanced polypeptide materials.
Main Methods:
- NCA polymerization techniques
- Advanced orthogonal functionalization
- Integration with other controlled polymerization methods
Main Results:
- Well-defined synthetic stimuli-responsive polypeptides can be created with incorporated functionalities.
- These polypeptides exhibit conformational and phase transitions in response to various external stimuli.
- Stimuli include biomolecules, environmental factors (temperature, pH), light, and magnetic fields.
Conclusions:
- Stimuli-responsive polypeptides represent a promising class of novel materials.
- Potential applications span biomedicine and biotechnology, including tissue engineering, drug delivery, and biodiagnostics.
- Continued research in synthetic strategies and applications is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview
The polymerization process that involves carbanion as an intermediate is called anionic polymerization. It is also a type of addition or chain-growth polymerization. Anionic polymerization gets initiated by a strong nucleophile such as an organolithium or a Grignard reagent. The most commonly used initiator for anionic polymerization is butyl lithium. Monomers involved in anionic polymerization must possess a vinyl group bonded to one or two electron-withdrawing groups. For instance,...
01:28Peptidoglycan Synthesis
Structure of PeptidoglycanPeptidoglycan is a vital structural component of the bacterial cell wall, providing mechanical strength and shape to the cell. It consists of repeating units of two sugars—N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM)—linked by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds. These sugar chains are cross-linked by short peptide chains, forming a mesh-like polymer that surrounds the bacterial plasma membrane.Cytoplasmic Phase – Precursor SynthesisPeptidoglycan biosynthesis begins in...
01:04Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism
The mechanism for anionic chain-growth polymerization involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. In the initiation step, a nucleophilic anion, such as butyl lithium, initiates the polymerization process by attacking the π bond of the vinylic monomer. As a result, a carbanion, stabilized by the electron‐withdrawing group, is generated. The resulting carbanion acts as a Michael donor in the propagation step and attacks the second vinylic monomer, which acts as a Michael acceptor.
01:28ATP and Macromolecule Synthesis
Biological macromolecules are organic compounds, predominantly composed of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are covalently bonded with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other minor elements. There are four major biological macromolecule classes: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Most macromolecules are composed of single subunits, or building blocks, called monomers. The monomers combine with each other using covalent bonds to form larger molecules known as polymers.
Conversion of...
Most macromolecules are composed of single subunits, or building blocks, called monomers. The monomers combine with each other using covalent bonds to form larger molecules known as polymers.
Conversion of...
01:28Classification and Mechanical Properties of Synthetic Polymers
Synthetic polymers are classified as elastomers, fibers, or plastics based on their crystallinity. Crystallinity, the degree of long-range order in the solid state, influences the mechanical properties (stretching or contracting) of elastomers. Elastomers are flexible polymers that can expand or contract easily upon the application of an external force. They have numerous crosslinks that pull them back into their original shape when stress is removed. Silicones, for instance, are highly elastic...