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Related Concept Videos

Polymers02:34

Polymers

41.1K
The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the...
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Polymers02:34

Polymers

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Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

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Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
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Polymer Classification: Crystallinity01:21

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

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Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...
4.0K
Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity01:26

Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity

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Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...
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Polymers: Defining Molecular Weight01:01

Polymers: Defining Molecular Weight

3.9K
Unlike small molecules with definite molecular weights, polymers are a mixture of individual polymer chains of varying lengths, each with a unique molecular weight.  So, the molecular weight of a polymer is expressed as an average value based on the average size of the polymer chains. The two most common forms of averages used for polymers are the number average molecular weight and weight average molecular weight.
The number average molecular weight (Mn) is the summation of the number...
3.9K

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In situ Photo-rheology Monitors Viscoelastic Changes in Photo-responsive Polymer Networks
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H2S gasotransmitter-responsive polymer vesicles.

Qiang Yan1, Wei Sang1

  • 1Department of Macromolecular Science , Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers of the Education Ministry of China , Fudan University , Shanghai , China 200433 .

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|June 15, 2018
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Researchers created smart polymer vesicles that disassemble in response to hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a biological signal. Adding an enzyme further expanded their sensing capabilities for potential intracellular applications.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Chemical Biology

Background:

  • Developing biomimetic polymer vesicles capable of sensing biological signaling molecules presents a significant interdisciplinary challenge.
  • Existing nanostructures often lack the specificity and responsiveness required for complex biological environments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To engineer a novel class of block copolymers forming vesicles that respond to endogenous biological signaling molecules.
  • To enable controllable disassembly of nanostructures triggered by specific biochemical cues.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of o-azidomethylbenzoate (AzMB)-containing block copolymers.
  • Investigation of AzMB side-chain cleavage triggered by hydrogen sulfide (H2S).
  • Functionalization of vesicle membranes with cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) to broaden responsiveness.

Main Results:

  • AzMB-containing polymersomes exhibit controllable disassembly upon exposure to H2S.
  • H2S triggers cascade reactions, altering polymer amphiphilicity and leading to vesicle breakdown.
  • Incorporation of CSE allows vesicles to respond to specific amino acids by generating H2S.

Conclusions:

  • This study presents a new polymer model for constructing biosignal-responsive nanocapsules.
  • The developed system demonstrates tunable disassembly based on specific biochemical triggers.
  • This approach opens avenues for advanced intracellular applications requiring targeted nanocarrier systems.