Peptidic Monodisperse PEG "combs" with Fine-Tunable LCST and Multiple Imaging Modalities

Thermosensitive and imaging-traceable materials with fine-tunable lower critical solution temperature (LCST) around body temperature are highly valuable in biomedicine. However, such materials are rare because it is challenging to fine-tune the LCST and incorporate suitable imaging modalities. Herein, peptidic monodisperse polyethylene glycol (M-PEG) "combs" with fine-tunable LCST, "hot spot" fluorine-19 magnetic resonance imaging (¹⁹F MRI), thermoresponsive fluorescent imaging, and drug loading ability were developed through accurately programming their structures during solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). The easy availability, structural accuracy, biocompatibility, and versatility provide the M-PEG "combs" with promising prospects as thermoresponsive and imaging-traceable biomaterials for controlled drug delivery.