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Soft Matter Jan 2021Macromolecular crowding and the presence of surfaces can significantly impact the spatial organization of biopolymers. While the importance of crowding-induced depletion...
Macromolecular crowding and the presence of surfaces can significantly impact the spatial organization of biopolymers. While the importance of crowding-induced depletion interactions in biology has been recognized, much remains to be understood about the effect of crowding on biopolymers such as DNA plasmids. A fundamental problem highlighted by recent experiments is to characterize the impact of crowding on polymer-polymer and polymer-surface interactions. Motivated by the need for quantitative insight, we studied flexible ring polymers in crowded environments using Langevin dynamics simulations. The simulations demonstrated that crowding can lead to compaction of isolated ring polymers and enhanced interactions between two otherwise repulsive polymers. Using umbrella sampling, we determined the potential of mean force (PMF) between two ring polymers as a function of their separation distance at different volume fractions of crowding particles, φ. An effective attraction emerged at φ≈ 0.4, which is similar to the degree of crowding in cells. Analogous simulations showed that crowding can lead to strong adsorption of a ring polymer to a wall, with an effective attraction to the wall emerging at a smaller volume fraction of crowders (φ≈ 0.2). Our results reveal the magnitude of depletion interactions in a biologically-inspired model and highlight how crowding can be used to tune interactions in both cellular and cell-free systems.
Topics: Adsorption; Biopolymers; DNA; Macromolecular Substances; Polymers
PubMed: 33155586
DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01847c -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2022Finding alternatives to diminish plastic pollution has become one of the main challenges of modern life. A few alternatives have gained potential for a shift toward a... (Review)
Review
Finding alternatives to diminish plastic pollution has become one of the main challenges of modern life. A few alternatives have gained potential for a shift toward a more circular and sustainable relationship with plastics. Biodegradable polymers derived from bio- and fossil-based sources have emerged as one feasible alternative to overcome inconveniences associated with the use and disposal of non-biodegradable polymers. The biodegradation process depends on the environment's factors, microorganisms and associated enzymes, and the polymer properties, resulting in a plethora of parameters that create a complex process whereby biodegradation times and rates can vary immensely. This review aims to provide a background and a comprehensive, systematic, and critical overview of this complex process with a special focus on the mesophilic range. Activity toward depolymerization by extracellular enzymes, biofilm effect on the dynamic of the degradation process, CO evolution evaluating the extent of biodegradation, and metabolic pathways are discussed. Remarks and perspectives for potential future research are provided with a focus on the current knowledge gaps if the goal is to minimize the persistence of plastics across environments. Innovative approaches such as the addition of specific compounds to trigger depolymerization under particular conditions, biostimulation, bioaugmentation, and the addition of natural and/or modified enzymes are state-of-the-art methods that need faster development. Furthermore, methods must be connected to standards and techniques that fully track the biodegradation process. More transdisciplinary research within areas of polymer chemistry/processing and microbiology/biochemistry is needed.
Topics: Carbon Dioxide; Polymers; Biodegradation, Environmental; Plastics; Biodegradable Plastics
PubMed: 36293023
DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012165 -
ACS Applied Bio Materials Dec 2023The biopolymer lignin, which is heterogeneous and abundant, is usually present in plant cell walls and gives them rigidity and strength. As a byproduct of the wood,... (Review)
Review
The biopolymer lignin, which is heterogeneous and abundant, is usually present in plant cell walls and gives them rigidity and strength. As a byproduct of the wood, paper, and pulp manufacturing industry, lignin ranks as the second most prevalent biopolymer worldwide, following cellulose. This review paper explores the extraction, modification, and prospective applications of lignin in various industries, including the enhancement of thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers, biomedical applications such as vanillin production, fuel development, carbon fiber composites, and the creation of nanomaterials for food packaging and drug delivery. The structural characteristics of lignin remain undefined due to its origin, separation, and fragmentation processes. This comprehensive overview encompasses state-of-the-art techniques, potential applications, diverse extraction methods, chemical modifications, carbon fiber utilization, and the extraction of vanillin. Moreover, the review focuses on the utilization of lignin-modified polymer blends across multiple manufacturing sectors, providing insights into the advantages and limitations of this innovative approach for the development of environmentally friendly materials.
Topics: Lignin; Polymers; Carbon Fiber; Biopolymers
PubMed: 38036466
DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00783 -
Topics in Current Chemistry (Cham) Mar 2020DNA nanotechnology, based on sequence-specific DNA recognition, could allow programmed self-assembly of sophisticated nanostructures with molecular precision. Extension... (Review)
Review
DNA nanotechnology, based on sequence-specific DNA recognition, could allow programmed self-assembly of sophisticated nanostructures with molecular precision. Extension of this technique to the preparation of broader types of nanomaterials would significantly improve nanofabrication technique to lower nanometer scale and even achieve single molecule operation. Using such exquisite DNA nanostructures as templates, chemical synthesis of polymer and inorganic nanomaterials could also be programmed with unprecedented accuracy and flexibility. This review summarizes recent advances in the synthesis and assembly of polymer and inorganic nanomaterials using DNA nanostructures as templates, and discusses the current challenges and future outlook of DNA templated nanotechnology.
Topics: Animals; DNA; Inorganic Chemicals; Liposomes; Nanostructures; Nanotechnology; Polymers
PubMed: 32146596
DOI: 10.1007/s41061-020-0292-x -
International Journal of Pharmaceutics Jul 2022Adagen, an enzyme replacement treatment for adenosine deaminase deficiency, was the first protein-polymer conjugate to be approved in early 1990 s. Post this regulatory... (Review)
Review
Adagen, an enzyme replacement treatment for adenosine deaminase deficiency, was the first protein-polymer conjugate to be approved in early 1990 s. Post this regulatory approval, numerous polymeric drugs and polymeric nanoparticles have entered the market as advanced or next-generation polymer-based therapeutics, while many others have currently been tested clinically. The polymer conjugation to therapeutic moiety offers several advantages, like enhanced solubilization of drug, controlled release, reduced immunogenicity, and prolonged circulation. The present review intends to highlight considerations in the design of therapeutically effective polymer-drug conjugates (PDCs), including the choice of linker chemistry. The potential synthetic strategies to formulate PDCs have been discussed along with recent advancements in the different types of PDCs, i.e., polymer-small molecular weight drug conjugates, polymer-protein conjugates, and stimuli-responsive PDCs, which are under clinical/preclinical investigation. Current impediments and regulatory hurdles hindering the clinical translation of PDC into effective therapeutic regimens for the amelioration of disease conditions have been addressed.
Topics: Drug Delivery Systems; Nanoparticles; Polymers; Proteins
PubMed: 35643347
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.121863 -
Journal of Biomaterials Science.... Mar 2020Attributed to the excellent biocompatibility and desirable mechanical properties to natural tissue, natural polymer-based electrospun nanofibers have drawn extensive... (Review)
Review
Attributed to the excellent biocompatibility and desirable mechanical properties to natural tissue, natural polymer-based electrospun nanofibers have drawn extensive research interests in tissue engineering. Electrospun nanofibers have been explored as scaffolds in tissue engineering to modulate cellular behavior. Also, electrospun nanofiber matrices have morphological similarities to the natural extra-cellular matrix (ECM). Natural polymer and its composite nanofiber mats are the promising candidates in governing nerve cells growth and nerve regeneration due to their unique characteristics such as high permeability, stability, porosity, suitable mechanical performance and excellent biocompatibility. In this review, the progress in electrospun natural polymers and its composite nanofibers scaffold for neural tissue engineering are presented. The influences of fiber orientation and electrical stimulation on the nerve cell behavior and neurite growth are systematically summarized. Furthermore, the current application of natural polymer composite scaffold as implantable device for nerve regeneration is also discussed (see Figure 1).
Topics: Animals; Electricity; Humans; Nanofibers; Nerve Tissue; Polymers; Tissue Engineering; Tissue Scaffolds
PubMed: 31774364
DOI: 10.1080/09205063.2019.1697170 -
Carbohydrate Polymers Nov 2022Microencapsulation is an emerging process in which an active substance is entrapped in a homogeneous or heterogeneous matrix to form capsules. This technique allows... (Review)
Review
Microencapsulation is an emerging process in which an active substance is entrapped in a homogeneous or heterogeneous matrix to form capsules. This technique allows reducing the adverse effects of the external environment on encapsulated compounds, ensuring their stability through manipulation and transport besides enabling their controlled release. Microencapsulation is particularly suitable to protect sensitive materials such as living organisms, thus providing them an appropriate environment to behave and act as if they were in their natural habitat. The used matrix is generally composed of polymers, due to their ability to form flexible networks. Chitosan, a linear polysaccharide obtained from chitin, is a prime microencapsulation polymer by itself or in combination with other polymers owing to its cationic nature, biodegradability, non-toxicity and mucoadhesive properties. This review aims to present the diverse chitosan modifications, adaptations and crosslinking through the microencapsulation of somatic cells, bacteria, yeasts and microalgaes.
Topics: Capsules; Chitin; Chitosan; Polymers
PubMed: 35989017
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.119877 -
Chemical Communications (Cambridge,... Jun 2023Since the first introduction of their concept in the 1980s and 90s, polymer brushes have been the focus of intense research efforts to identify novel physico-chemical... (Review)
Review
Since the first introduction of their concept in the 1980s and 90s, polymer brushes have been the focus of intense research efforts to identify novel physico-chemical properties and responsiveness, and optimise the properties of associated interfaces for an ever growing range of applications. To a large extent, this effort has been enabled by progress in surface initiated controlled polymerisation techniques, allowing a huge diversity of monomers and macromolecular architectures to be harnessed and achieved. However, polymer functionalisation through chemical coupling of various moieties and molecular structures has also played an important role in expanding the molecular design toolbox of the field of polymer brush science. This perspective article reviews recent progress in polymer brush functionalisation, discussing a broad range of strategies for the side chain and end chain chemical modification of these polymer coatings. The impact of the brush architecture on associated coupling is also examined. In turn, the role that such functionalisation approaches play in the patterning and structuring of brushes, as well as their conjugation with biomacromolecules for the design of biofunctional interfaces is then reviewed and discussed.
Topics: Surface Properties; Polymers; Polymerization; Molecular Structure
PubMed: 37194961
DOI: 10.1039/d3cc01082a -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2023Luminescent polymer nanomaterials not only have the characteristics of various types of luminescent functional materials and a wide range of applications, but also have... (Review)
Review
Luminescent polymer nanomaterials not only have the characteristics of various types of luminescent functional materials and a wide range of applications, but also have the characteristics of good biocompatibility and easy functionalization of polymer nanomaterials. They are widely used in biomedical fields such as bioimaging, biosensing, and drug delivery. Designing and constructing new controllable synthesis methods for multifunctional fluorescent polymer nanomaterials with good water solubility and excellent biocompatibility is of great significance. Exploring efficient functionalization methods for luminescent materials is still one of the core issues in the design and development of new fluorescent materials. With this in mind, this review first introduces the structures, properties, and synthetic methods regarding fluorescent polymeric nanomaterials. Then, the functionalization strategies of fluorescent polymer nanomaterials are summarized. In addition, the research progress of multifunctional fluorescent polymer nanomaterials for bioimaging is also discussed. Finally, the synthesis, development, and application fields of fluorescent polymeric nanomaterials, as well as the challenges and opportunities of structure-property correlations, are comprehensively summarized and the corresponding perspectives are well illustrated.
Topics: Polymers; Nanostructures; Coloring Agents; Drug Delivery Systems
PubMed: 37175229
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28093819 -
Carbohydrate Polymers Mar 2023Breast cancer is known as the most common invasive malignancy in women with the highest mortality rate worldwide. This concerning disease may be presented in situ... (Review)
Review
Breast cancer is known as the most common invasive malignancy in women with the highest mortality rate worldwide. This concerning disease may be presented in situ (relatively easier treatment) or be invasive, especially invasive ductal carcinoma which is highly worrisome nowadays. Among several strategies used in breast cancer treatment, nanotechnology-based targeted therapy is currently being investigated, as it depicts advanced technological features able of preventing drugs' side effects on normal cells while effectively acting on tumor cells. In this context, carbohydrate polymer-based nanocomposites have gained particular interest among the biomedical community for breast cancer therapy applications due to their advantage features, including abundance in nature, biocompatibility, straightforward fabrication methods, and good physicochemical properties. In this review, the physicochemical properties and biological activities of carbohydrate polymers and their derivate nanocomposites were discussed. Then, various methods for the fabrication of carbohydrate polymer-based nanocomposites as well as their application in breast cancer therapy and future perspectives were discussed.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Polymers; Nanocomposites; Carbohydrates
PubMed: 36641174
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.120510