Title: Degradable molecularly imprinted polymers-synthetic antibody mimics for the vectorization of active molecules.
Author: Yi ZHAO
Date: 2015
National thesis number: 2015COMP2189
Abstract
- Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are biomimetic synthetic receptors that possess two of the most important features of biological antibodies the ability to recognize and bind specific target molecules. Owing to their easier preparation, lower cost, higher specifity and stability compared to antibodies, they have the potential to be widely applied for environemental and food analysis. Recently, MIPs also emerged in the biochemical field as diagnostic tools, chemicals traps to remove undesirable substance from the body, or drug delivery systems, where usually the combination of biocompatibility and degradability after its use is desirable. Here, we developed biochemically or enzymatically degradable MIPs, which have potential applications as activation-modulated drug delivery systems. In general, MIPs are prepared by radical polymerization of functional monomers and cross-linkers in the presence of a target molecule acting as template. Degradable MIPs were synthesized using cleavable cross-linkers containing a degradable group (disulfide bond or phosphate ester bond) or derived from a natural disaccharide. In the presence of a cleaving reagent (reducing agent or enzyme), the chemo or enzyme-sensitive bond could be cleaved, resulting in the degradation of the polymer matrix. The degraded polymers looses the binding sites structure resulting in the loss of recognition and binding capacity towards the target molecules, and thus in the release of bound molecules. These degradable MIPs provide new opportunities as smart vectors for controlled delivery of active molecules in biomedical applications. Finally, the biodegradation of the polymer backbone by bacteria was investigated.
Link: 2015COMP2189