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Updated: Dec 7, 2025
Solubility of Hydrophobic Compounds in Aqueous Solution Using Combinations of Self-assembling Peptide and Amino Acid
Published on: September 20, 2017
"Smart" self-assembled structures: toward intelligent dual responsive drug delivery systems
Mahsa Shahriari1, Vladimir P Torchilin2, Seyed Mohammad Taghdisi3
1Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. ramezanim@mums.ac.ir and Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. alibolandim@mums.ac.ir.
Smart polymers with unique properties can switch from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, forming versatile nanostructures. This "schizophrenic" self-assembly enables controlled release and selective encapsulation for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Combining polymers with distinct properties (thermo-responsive, non-ionic, zwitterionic) enables smart self-assembly.
- Schizophrenic self-assembly allows stimuli-induced transformations between hydrophilic and hydrophobic states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review polymer and peptide-based schizophrenic copolymers.
- To highlight their ability to form micellar and vesicular (polymersome) systems.
- To discuss their potential applications in controlled release and selective encapsulation.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on schizophrenic copolymers.
- Analysis of self-assembly mechanisms in aqueous environments.
- Examination of stimuli-responsive behavior and amphiphilicity changes.
Main Results:
- Schizophrenic copolymers exhibit tunable self-assembly based on external conditions.
- These polymers can form both micelles and polymersomes.
- The switching behavior allows for controlled cargo release and differentiation of encapsulated agents.
Conclusions:
- Schizophrenic copolymers offer novel "smart" polymeric vehicles.
- Their unique self-assembly properties lead to advanced applications in drug delivery and nanotechnology.
- Further research into these systems promises innovative solutions.
