Bioorthogonal Nanodiamond / Glycopolymer Hybrid Design to Simulate the Structure of Viruses

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The aim of the proposal is to generate glycopolymer surfaces chemistries on nanoparticles that are inspired by nature. Motivated by the success of viruses to invade cells, we aim at mimicking the virus' surface structure using an efficient polymer grafting approach via mild light-induced orthogonal reactions. To achieve this challenging goal, we fuse the expertise of Prof. Stenzel (glycopolymer applications, nanoparticle design, cellular interactions) and Prof. Barner-Kowollik (advanced polymer synthesis, light-induced ligation protocols, complex macromolecular surface design). The key to virus-cell surface interactions lies in the specific arrangement of glycoproteins on their surface, which are often organized in an antennae-like structure. These glycoproteins interact in a highly specific fashion with receptors on the surfaces of cells. In the current proposal, glycopolymers that imitate natural polysaccharide structures in terms of bioactivity will be grafted onto nanodiamonds via mild and effective light-induced chemistries. The advantage of employing nanodiamonds as virus-templates is their non-bleaching fluorescence and non-toxicity that allows the study of the glycopolymer coated nanoparticles under a fluorescent microscope and therefore enables long-term cell-interaction studies. In order to achieve structures similar to the one found on viruses, the glycopolymers will be co-grafted with responsive polymers generating synthetic viruses. The ultimate aim of the current proposal is the advancement of knowledge regarding the interaction of glycopolymer particles with mammalian cells. We seek to understand what type of glycopolymer surface is required to enhance the interaction with the receptors on the surface and to ultimately promote cellular uptake.