A thermoreversible poly(choline phosphate) based universal biomembrane adhesive

A new monomer, 2-(2-(2-(2-azidoethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl methacrylate (AEO4 MA), and its direct atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) into poly(AEO4 MA), then "clicked" with prop-2-ynyle choline phosphate (CP) to produce a poly(choline phosphate) are described. This polymer exhibits a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) at ≈ 32 °C, and provides a universal thermally reversible biomembrane adhesive, which can rapidly both bind to any mammalian cell membrane and internalize into the cytoplasm of nucleated cells below the LCST. Moving above the LCST reverses cell surface binding. The use of ATRP implies that such polymers can be applied to modify the surfaces of a wide range of biomaterials. The capacity to bind and immobilize cells at room temperature and release them above the LCST should be particularly useful for in vitro cell manipulation and tissue engineering applications.