Cooperative Macromolecular Self-Assembly toward Polymeric
Assemblies with Multiple and Bioactive Functions
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Abstract
ConspectusIn the past
decades, polymer based nanoscale polymeric assemblies
have attracted continuous interest due to their potential applications
in many fields, such as nanomedicine. Many efforts have been dedicated
to tailoring the three-dimensional architecture and the placement
of functional groups at well-defined positions within the polymeric
assemblies, aiming to augment their function. To achieve such goals,
in one way, novel polymeric building blocks can be designed by controlled
living polymerization methodology and advanced chemical modifications.
In contrast, by focusing on the end function, others and we have been
practicing strategies of cooperative self-assembly of multiple polymeric
building blocks chosen from the vast library of conventional block
polymers which are easily available. The advantages of such strategies
lie in the simplicity of the preparation process and versatile choice
of the constituent polymers in terms of their chemical structure and
functionality as well as the fact that cooperative self-assembly based
on supramolecular interactions offers elegant and energy-efficient
bottom-up strategies. Combination of these principles has been exploited
to optimize the architecture of polymeric assemblies with improved
function, to impart new functionality into micelles and to realize
polymeric nanocomplexes exhibiting functional integration, similar
to some natural systems like artificial viruses, molecular chaperones,
multiple enzyme systems, and so forth.In this Account, we shall
first summarize several straightforward
designing principles with which cooperative assembly of multiple polymeric
building blocks can be implemented, aiming to construct polymeric
nanoassemblies with hierarchal structure and enhanced functionalities.
Next, examples will be discussed to demonstrate the possibility to
create multifunctional nanoparticles by combination of the designing
principles and judiciously choosing of the building blocks. We focus
on multifunctional nanoparticles which can partially address challenges
widely existing in nanomedicine such as long blood circulation, efficient
cellular uptake, and controllable release of payloads. Finally, bioactive
polymeric assemblies, which have certain functions closely mimicking
those of some natural systems, will be used to conceive the concept
of functional integration