Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Polymers02:34

Polymers

35.7K
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...
35.7K
Protein Complex Assembly02:41

Protein Complex Assembly

10.6K
Proteins can form homomeric complexes with another unit of the same protein or heteromeric complexes with different types.  Most protein complexes self-assemble spontaneously via ordered pathways, while some proteins need assembly factors that guide their proper assembly. Despite the crowded intracellular environment, proteins usually interact with their correct partners and form functional complexes.
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
10.6K
Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

2.3K
The cationic polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination. In the initiation step of the polymerization process, the π bond of a monomer gets protonated by the Lewis acid catalyst, which is formed from boron trifluoride and water. The protonation of the π bond generates a carbocation stabilized by the electron‐donating group. In the propagation step, the π bond of the second monomer acts as a nucleophile and attacks the...
2.3K
Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:18

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

19.5K
Cytoskeletal filaments are polymeric forms of smaller protein subunits. However, individual cytoskeletal filaments may easily disassemble or associate with other similar filaments to form rigid structures. Microfilaments, made of actin monomers, rely on actin-binding proteins to form bundles and create networks of individual actin filaments. Microtubules rely on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) to form sturdy cylindrical structures. However, the proteins involved in forming complex...
19.5K
Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

3.5K
Step-growth or condensation polymerization is a stepwise reaction of bi or multifunctional monomers to form long-chain polymers. As all the monomers are reactive, most of the monomers are consumed at the early stages of the reaction to form small chains of reactive oligomers, which then combine to form long polymer chains in the late stages. Hence, the reaction has to proceed for a long time to achieve high molecular weight polymers.
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...
3.5K
ATP and Macromolecule Synthesis01:28

ATP and Macromolecule Synthesis

5.6K
Biological macromolecules are organic compounds, predominantly composed of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are covalently bonded with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other minor elements. There are four major biological macromolecule classes: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Most macromolecules are composed of single subunits, or building blocks, called monomers. The monomers combine with each other using covalent bonds to form larger molecules known as polymers.
Conversion of...
5.6K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Spontaneous Imbibition of Bicontinuous Microemulsions into Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Controlled Pore Glasses.

ACS omega·2026
Same author

Thermoresponsive Gels Based on Cross-Linked Polymer-Grafted Cellulose Nanocrystals.

Biomacromolecules·2026
Same author

Smart Copolymer Microgels with High Volume Phase Transition Temperatures: Composition, Swelling, and Morphology.

Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids·2025
Same author

Self-consistent field description of polyelectrolyte-grafted colloidal actuators.

Soft matter·2025
Same author

Harnessing Thalassochemicals: Marine Saponins as Bioactive Agents in Nutraceuticals and Food Technologies.

Marine drugs·2025
Same author

Multicompartment Nanostructures as Templates for Multimetallic Hybrid Materials.

Small science·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2025

Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives
09:22

Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives

Published on: February 7, 2017

7.8K

Photocleavable Polymer Cubosomes: Synthesis, Self-Assembly, and Photorelease.

Hui Chen1, Marcel Schumacher1, Alessandro Ianiro2,3

  • 1Institute for Physical Chemistry and Center for Soft Nanoscience (SoN), University of Münster, Corrensstraße 28-30, Münster 48149, Germany.

Journal of the American Chemical Society
|April 26, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Researchers synthesized photocleavable block copolymer (BCP) cubosomes (PCs) for enhanced functionality. Light-induced BCP disassembly enables controlled dye release and offers new strategies for PC fabrication.

More Related Videos

Synthesis of Information-bearing Peptoids and their Sequence-directed Dynamic Covalent Self-assembly
09:34

Synthesis of Information-bearing Peptoids and their Sequence-directed Dynamic Covalent Self-assembly

Published on: February 6, 2020

7.2K
Facile Synthesis of Worm-like Micelles by Visible Light Mediated Dispersion Polymerization Using Photoredox Catalyst
07:39

Facile Synthesis of Worm-like Micelles by Visible Light Mediated Dispersion Polymerization Using Photoredox Catalyst

Published on: June 8, 2016

9.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 27, 2025

Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives
09:22

Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives

Published on: February 7, 2017

7.8K
Synthesis of Information-bearing Peptoids and their Sequence-directed Dynamic Covalent Self-assembly
09:34

Synthesis of Information-bearing Peptoids and their Sequence-directed Dynamic Covalent Self-assembly

Published on: February 6, 2020

7.2K
Facile Synthesis of Worm-like Micelles by Visible Light Mediated Dispersion Polymerization Using Photoredox Catalyst
07:39

Facile Synthesis of Worm-like Micelles by Visible Light Mediated Dispersion Polymerization Using Photoredox Catalyst

Published on: June 8, 2016

9.5K

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Polymer cubosomes (PCs) are microparticles with ordered internal channels, typically using polystyrene scaffolds.
  • Existing polystyrene-based PCs offer mechanical stability but limited intrinsic functionality.
  • There is a need for functional PCs with tunable properties for advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize novel photocleavable block copolymer (BCP) compositions for PC formation.
  • To investigate the self-assembly mechanism and light-induced disassembly of these new PCs.
  • To demonstrate controlled release of model compounds from PCs upon irradiation.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of photocleavable BCPs.
  • Characterization of PC self-assembly using a combination of experimental techniques and computational modeling.
  • Photodegradation studies to analyze PC disassembly and model compound release.

Main Results:

  • Successful synthesis of photocleavable BCPs suitable for PC formation.
  • Elucidation of the PC formation pathway: liquid-liquid phase separation, confinement-driven microphase separation, and membrane reorganization.
  • Demonstration of rapid PC disassembly and dye release upon UV irradiation due to BCP transition from amphiphilic to bishydrophilic.

Conclusions:

  • Photocleavable BCPs offer a route to functional polymer cubosomes with light-responsive properties.
  • Understanding the self-assembly mechanism provides insights for controlling PC size and homogeneity.
  • This work opens avenues for developing advanced templating and controlled release systems based on functional PCs.