Precision Conjugation: An Emerging Tool for Generating Protein-Polymer Conjugates

Protein-polymer conjugates are increasingly being applied in biomedicine because of the unique combination of the biological activity of the proteins and the multifunctionality and flexibility of the polymers. However, traditional protein-polymer conjugation techniques suffer from some unavoidable drawbacks, including nonspecificity and low efficiency. In this Minireview, we discuss a new approach based on "precision conjugation" for the construction of the next-generation protein-polymer conjugates in a more controlled, more efficient, and tailorable fashion for a broad range of advanced applications. In illustrating the concept, we highlight two general methods: site-specific in situ growth and intrinsically disordered polypeptide fusion, with a focus on the in situ, efficient, and controllable formation of protein-polymer conjugates. At the end, the challenges associated with this emerging concept are further discussed.