Synthesis and biomedical applications of glycopolymers

As fundamental structural and functional units of biological systems, carbohydrates are recognized as indispensable to diverse physiological processes. Recent advances in the synthesis of well-defined glycopolymers enabled the development of biomimetic analogues that mimic natural glycans through cluster effects. These compounds have demonstrated critical significance in elucidating carbohydrate-mediated physiological mechanisms, identifying pathogenic pathways, and developing novel therapeutic strategies. Carbohydrate-protein interactions mediated by receptors such as ASGPR, DC-SIGN, M6PR, HA/NA, FimH, MR (CD206), Galectins, GLUTs, and BCR constitute the molecular basis for glycopolymer functionality and applications. Substantial explorations have been conducted in antimicrobial/antiviral applications and advanced drug delivery systems including gene therapy, antibody-protein conjugation, and small molecule encapsulation. These collective endeavors aim to expand the therapeutic frontiers of glycopolymers while offering transformative insights for next-generation pharmaceutical development.