Functional brush-decorated poly(globalide) films by ARGET-ATRP for bioconjugation

Formation of hydroxyl functionalized poly(macrolactone) films was achieved by a combination of enzymatic ring opening polymerization of globalide and thiol-ene coupling reactions. Reaction with α-bromoisobutyryl bromide yielded ATRP initiator functional films. Efficient activator regeneration by electron transfer (ARGET) ATRP was employed for the polymerization of tert-butyl acrylate (tBA) and NIPAM from the initiator decorated surfaces. Deprotection of the tert-butyl ester decorated polymer films yielded carboxylic acid groups for convenient attachment of biomolecule. The successful conjugation of green fluorescent protein (eGFP) and active enzyme chitobiase (Chb) on densely poly(acrylic acid)-functionalized polyester films is demonstrated.