Synthesis of End-functionalized Polymers via RAFT Polymerization for Polymer-Protein Conjugates and for the Modification of Surfaces

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Using RAFT polymerization, we plan to synthesize new endfunctionized polymers which can be conjugated to proteins or grafted onto pre-structured gold surfaces to form new thermo-, pH-, or salt-responsive systems. The proposed project comprises the preparation of water-soluble polymers, especially LCST polymers, such as poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide), a kinetic study using a new in-line FT-NIR methodology, the characterization of the polymers, the introduction of functional endgroups, and the conjugation chemistry. Two different methods are to be employed: (a) RAFT polymerization in order to obtain sulfur-containing endgroups which are hydrolyzed to the corresponding thiols and can be conjugated to thiol functions of proteins or to gold surfaces; (b) synthesis of block copolymers with short blocks of oligo(active ester)s for conjugation to the amino functions of proteins.