Degradable Polymeric Architectures Created by Ring-Opening Polymerisation Induced Self-Assembly

材料合成最初将集中于通过n -羧酸开环聚合产生聚氨基酸。聚合将与PISA同时进行，以开发用于控制释放应用程序的候选库。至关重要的是，该项目将致力于在自组装过程中封装活性分子，作为一种在没有额外加载步骤的情况下将活性成分封装在聚合物颗粒中的方法。以前，PISA缺乏客体分子的装载，因此设想该概念对高价值化学品（如治疗剂和农用化学品）的封装和控制释放具有重要意义。其他形式的开环聚合将被研究，如内酯和o -羧基氢化物的聚合。此外，聚合物将从透明质酸等生物分子中接枝，以确定是否有活性成分存在的PISA是可能的。与聚合物化学相关的传统分析技术将被使用，包括NMR和FTIR光谱，GPC和DLS分析。将进行广泛的SAXS表征，以确定聚合物组成、活性成分和颗粒形态之间的联系。该项目的设想是一种将农用化学品封装在可降解聚合物颗粒中的方法。虽然人们相信这仍然是一个有效的目标，但随后与先正达的对话表明，重点在于聚合物作为可能的分散剂、流变性改性剂和种子包衣。本项目将生产适合此类应用的两亲性嵌段共聚物，希望该项目具有商业意义。将药物分子包封在聚合纳米颗粒内，从单体到载药纳米颗粒的一锅过程对制药工业具有潜在的意义。因此，我们将向阿斯利康提供初步结果，以确定材料在制药环境中的潜力。所有创造的材料都是原创的，功能性的，并具有广泛的特征。因此，该项目的潜在学术影响是相当大的，可以发表许多出版物。

Material synthesis will initially focus on the creation of poly(amino acids) by N-carboxyanhydride ring-opening polymerisation. Polymerisation will be done simultaneously with PISA to develop a library of candidates for use in controlled release applications. Crucially, this project will aim to encapsulate active molecules during the self-assembly process as a method to encapsulate active ingredients within polymeric particles in the absence of an additional loading step. Previously, PISA has lacked the loading of guest molecules and so it is envisaged that the concept has significance for the encapsulation and controlled release of high value chemicals such as therapeutics and agrochemicals. Other forms of ring-opening polymerisation will be investigated, such as the polymerisation of lactones and O-carboxyanhydrides. Additionally, polymers will be grafted from biomolecules such hyaluronic acid to determine if PISA in the presence of active ingredients is possible. Conventional analytical techniques associated with polymer chemistry will be used including NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, GPC, and DLS analysis. Extensive SAXS characterisation will be undertaken to determine a link between polymer composition, active ingredient, and particle morphology.The project idea was conceived as a method to encapsulate agrochemicals within degradable polymeric particles. Whilst there is a belief that this remains a valid target, subsequent conversation with Syngenta revealed that there focus lies in polymers as possible dispersants, rheology modifiers and maybe seed coatings. Amphiphilic block copolymer will be produced in this project that are suitable for such applications, hopefully offering the project commercial significance. The encapsulation of drug molecules within polymeric nanoparticles in a one pot process from monomer to drug-loaded nanoparticle is of potential significance to the pharmaceutical industry. Consequently, we will present initial results to AZ to determine the potential of the materials within a pharmaceutical context. All materials created will be original, functional, and extensively characterised. The potential academic impact of the project is therefore considerable with scope for numerous publications.