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Related Concept Videos

Polymers02:34

Polymers

40.4K
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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Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

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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...
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Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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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...
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ATP and Macromolecule Synthesis01:28

ATP and Macromolecule Synthesis

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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...
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Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers01:08

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers

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Step growth polymerization involves bi or multifunctional monomers. Bifunctional monomers react to form linear step growth polymers, whereas multifunctional monomers react to form non-linear or branched polymers.
As the step-growth polymerization involves step-wise condensation of monomers, the molecular weight also builds up eventually. Consequently, high molecular weight polymers are obtained at the late stages of the polymerization, where 99% of monomers have been consumed.
The extent of the...
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Updated: Jan 16, 2026

OaAEP1-Mediated Enzymatic Synthesis and Immobilization of Polymerized Protein for Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy
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OaAEP1-Mediated Enzymatic Synthesis and Immobilization of Polymerized Protein for Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy

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Living/controlled supramolecular protein polymerization.

Hao Ren1, Qianhui Zhang1, Kai Wang1

  • 1Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|September 30, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a thiol-regulated interfacial protein aggregation (TRIPA) method for controlled biopolymer assembly. This living/controlled supramolecular polymerization (LCSP) technique enables precise nanofilm fabrication for advanced material applications.

Keywords:
controlled biopolymer assemblyinterface assemblyliving supramolecular polymerizationprotein nanofilmthiol-regulated interfacial protein aggregation (TRIPA)

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Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Supramolecular Chemistry

Background:

  • Achieving controlled supramolecular assembly of biopolymers like proteins in vitro is challenging for material design.
  • Nature provides models for living protein polymerization, inspiring new synthetic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a method for living/controlled supramolecular polymerization (LCSP) of proteins in vitro.
  • To create protein-based nanofilms with tunable thickness and properties.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized thiol-regulated interfacial protein aggregation (TRIPA) for unfolded protein systems.
  • Triggered protein unfolding via reversible disulfide bond and sulfhydryl agent exchange.
  • Assembled partially unfolded proteins at air-water/solid-water interfaces through entropy-driven adsorption and conformation transition.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated a living polymerization-like process for protein assembly, forming 2D nanofilms.
  • Observed linear increase in film thickness with assembly conversion and stepwise protein addition.
  • Synthesized protein nanofilms with controlled thickness, flat morphology, and ultrahigh modulus.

Conclusions:

  • Established a novel LCSP method for biopolymers, specifically proteins, in vitro.
  • The protein nanofilms can be applied as stable structural color coatings on various surfaces.
  • This approach may extend to controlled polymerization of other biomolecules like saccharides, nucleic acids, and cells.