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Star‐Shaped Polypeptides: Synthesis and Opportunities for Delivery of Therapeutics
Author(s) -
Byrne Mark,
Murphy Robert,
Kapetanakis Antonios,
Ramsey Joanne,
Cryan SallyAnn,
Heise Andreas
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.201500300
Subject(s) - gene delivery , flexibility (engineering) , nanotechnology , star (game theory) , polymerization , combinatorial chemistry , polymer , materials science , chemistry , computational biology , genetic enhancement , biology , biochemistry , gene , organic chemistry , physics , statistics , mathematics , astrophysics
Significant advances in the synthesis of polypeptides by N ‐carboxyanhydride (NCA) polymerisation over the last decade have enabled the design of advanced polypeptide architectures such as star‐shaped polypeptides. These materials combine the functionality offered by amino acids with the flexibility of creating stable nanoparticles with adjustable cargo space for therapeutic delivery. This review highlights recent advances in the synthesis of star polypeptides by NCA polymerisation followed by a critical review of the applications of this class of polymer in the delivery of therapeutic agents. This includes examples of traditional small‐molecule drugs as well as the emerging class of biologics such as genetic therapeutics (gene delivery).